Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Matt Carthy TD, has said that the Irish government must take action against Israel over its ongoing genocide in Gaza.

He said that the recent strong words by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste in respect of Israel’s flagrant breaches of international law must be matched by ensuring that the state pays an economic price for the war crimes it continues to commit.

Deputy Carthy called on the government to allow the passage and enactment of the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill and the Occupied Territories Bill, and ensure that no further export licences are granted that provide for the sale of goods with a military use to Israel.

Teachta Carthy said:

“Despite all of the strong words from government leaders, the fact remains that Israel enjoys one of the most preferential trading, economic and diplomatic relationships with Ireland and the EU, even as it commits a genocide against the Palestinian people.

“The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have limited potential sanction against Israel to the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, despite knowing that support for this at European level is not forthcoming.

“In fact, the prospects of suspending the Association Agreement were greatly diminished when the Irish government endorsed the reappointment of Ursula Von der Leyen as Commission President.

“So, while of course Ireland must continue to press for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the government must also take unilateral steps to make it clear to the world that we will have no connection with a state that is murdering children in a targeted and systematic manner.

“The government must lift its delaying tactics that is preventing passage of the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill, which would ensure that Irish taxpayers’ monies cannot be invested in companies that profit from an illegal occupation.

“Government should also ensure the enactment of the Occupied Territories Bill. And, the Irish government should ensure that no further export licences for dual-use products, that allow products with a military use to be sent from Ireland to Israel, are issued.

“Israel’s genocidal onslaught against the civilian population of Gaza has resulted in the deaths of 40,000 Palestinians. That state is in flagrant breach of international law. It is unconscionable that Ireland continues to trade with Israel as if it was a normal economic paper.

“If international law and the UN Charter are to retain any meaning, then there can be no more equivocation or half-hearted measures or statements – Israel must be condemned, meaningfully sanctioned and held to account.

“Ireland has taken positive steps, in the recognition of the state of Palestine and in the rhetoric of government ministers. That rhetoric must now be matched by meaningful actions against Israel.”