Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Matt Carthy TD, has said that Israel has crossed ‘yet another red line’ by putting UN peacekeepers at risk in its bid to extend its genocide to Lebanon.

Deputy Carthy said that the Taoiseach must use his visit to the White House to demand that the US stop arming the state that is putting Irish peacekeepers at risk.

Teachta Carthy said:

“Our thoughts are with the men and women of the Irish Defence Forces stationed in Camp Shamrock and surrounding outposts – their safety must be our priority.

“In recent days, Israel has sought to extend its genocide beyond Gaza to Lebanon.

“Irish people who are rightfully horrified by the carnage they are inflicting upon the people of Gaza and Lebanon have been further outraged by reports that Israel has positioned military assets close to Irish peacekeepers, in a blatant attempt to use them as human shields. Israeli actions have undoubtedly put our Defence Forces at risk.

“Israel has crossed another red line. They must be held accountable.

“It is certain that Israel could not continue to engage in these illegal actions were it not for the financial and military support it receives from western states, particularly the United States.

“It is imperative that An Taoiseach uses his visit to the White House to demand that the US stops arming a state that is responsible for countless war crimes and now puts Irish peacekeepers at risk.

“The Irish people are rightfully incredibly proud of the role that our Defence Forces have played in UN peace-keeping missions over several decades. The least they expect is that political leaders use every opportunity to do everything in their power to protect our brave peacekeepers and to demand an end to the slaughter in Palestine and Lebanon.”