Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, has called on Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris to put forward the case for a review of the EU Israel Association Agreement at today’s association council meeting in Brussels.

Teachta Ó Laoghaire has said ‘it is the inaction of governments that consistently emboldens Israel to commit war crimes with impunity’.

Teachta Ó Laoghaire said:

“Today the European Union and Israel will hold a meeting of their Association Council in Brussels. The discussion will cover EU-Israel bilateral relations.

“This discussion takes place at a critical moment in the Gaza ceasefire and Israeli escalation in the West Bank. I am calling on Tánaiste Simon Harris to call for the suspension of the EU Israel Association Agreement.

“Sinn Féin have repeatedly cautioned the Government of the consequences of their continued refusal to introduce any meaningful economic sanction in response to Israel’s flagrant breach of international law as well as inexcusable inaction on the passing of the Occupied Territories Bill.

“We have witnessed Israel’s assault on Gaza, intensified Israeli violence against the West Bank and, recently, comments made by President Trump effectively suggesting the permanent displacement of the people of Gaza.

“Micheál Martin’s government has failed utterly to even secure a review of the EU Israel Association Agreement, seemed indifferent to illegal arms trafficking through Ireland in support of Israel’s assault on Gaza, and now are effectively looking to weaken the Occupied Territories Bill by not committing to a full ban on trade in goods and services within the new Programme for Government.

“It is this failure to introduce any meaningful sanctions against Israel that emboldens Israel to commit war crimes with impunity.”