Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Matt Carthy TD, has called on all TDs, including government representatives, to back Sinn Féin’s motion which would mandate Ireland to support the case by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention.

A notification to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Ireland intends to join proceedings would send a huge message to the world, he said.

Teachta Carthy said:

“Last Friday’s judgement from the ICJ has changed everything. The Court may not have used the word ceasefire, but the only way to operationalise the findings of the Court is a full, permanent and complete ceasefire.

“The Court has ruled that South Africa have a plausible case and that Israel has a case to answer in respect of violations of the Genocide Convention.

“Now is the time for the government, on behalf of the Irish people, to indicate that they will join with South Africa in their case to hold Israel accountable for their crimes against the Palestinian people.

“There are no more excuses, Israeli impunity must end.

“Sinn Féin’s motion before the Dáil this week gives TDs an opportunity to be on the right side of history. Unanimous support for the Sinn Féin motion would send a huge message to the world from Ireland – that we are firmly on the side of international law, international Humanitarian law and the UN charter.

“The provisional ruling from the Court on Friday demands action from the international community. South Africa has shown leadership, now is the time for others, Ireland included, to do so too.”

Sinn Féin motion’s can be read here.