Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe, has called on Israel to immediately end its brutal bombardment and invasion of Gaza which has now killed at least 650 Palestinians.

As the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, arrives in the region, Crowe also backed the calls of the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, who has stated that the lifting of the illegal blockade of Gaza must be part of any peace process.

Deputy Crowe said:

“I am completed outraged and appalled at Israel’s continued invasion and indiscriminate bombing of Gaza. Israel’s attacks have now killed 650 Palestinians, with estimates that at least 80% were innocent civilians and children.

“This is Israel’s 3rd major offensive on Gaza in 6 years, which it besieges by land, air and sea.

“Israel continues to refuse to accept international law as the basis for resolving its conflict with the Palestinians and it is seemingly killing civilians and committing war crimes with impunity.

“Israel should immediately end hostilities and enter meaningful and inclusive dialogue to create a lasting peace process which respects the sovereignty and independence of Palestine along the pre-1967 borders.

“I also agree with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, that the lifting of the illegal blockade on Gaza, which amounts to collective punishment, must be part of any peace process, in order to tackle the huge humanitarian crisis.

“In face of Israel’s continued human rights abuses and rejection of international law it is time for the Irish Government to take a proactive and principled stand in its bilateral and multilateral relations with Israel.

“Sinn Féin continues to call for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, for an arms embargo against Israel, and for the EU to suspend Israel from the Euro-Med preferential trade agreement.”

ENDS