Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe TD, raised the deteriorating situation in occupied Palestine and the blatant violations of international and human rights law with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, in the Dáil.

Crowe has called on the Minister to take a principle stand and demand that the EU suspends its preferable trade association agreement with Israel, to seek a ban on settlement goods entering the EU, to ensure that Palestinians receive international protection, and for Ireland to formally recognise the State of Palestine.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Conditions in Palestine are among the worst since the illegal occupation began. Gaza is the world’s biggest prison and the inhuman occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem negatively affects every facet of daily life.

“Many people in Ireland and across the world have seen the recent pictures and videos, which were captured on camera phones, showing the brutal reality of what is actually happening in Palestine and the inhumanity of Israel’s illegal occupation.

“Since 13 September, 73 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli authorities while 2,200 have been arrested and 2,250 injured, many by live and plastic bullets. Helpless Palestinians living under such a brutal and violent occupation require and demand international protection.

“Collectively we all want to see an end to violence but the reality is that while the Israeli Government continues its occupation, continues oppressing and implementing apartheid policies, and the viability of a peaceful two state resolution is moving further and further away.

“This is the most extreme and right-wing government Israel has had and its promotion of hate and impunity continues to kill the hopes and aspirations of all Palestinians.

“During the past ten years, more than 11,000 attacks have been perpetrated by illegal Israeli settlers against the occupied Palestinian population and their properties.

“What will it take for Europe to finally act on these gross violations of international law?

“I’m calling on the Minister of Foreign Affairs to take a principled stance and demand that the preferable trade association agreement that Israel currently enjoys is suspended, and to seek a ban on settlement goods entering the EU, and to ensure that Palestinians receive international protection.

“It is nearly one year since a Sinn Féin motion calling on the Government to officially recognise the State of Palestine was unanimously passed in the Dáil, yet the Government has still not acted on this important issue.”

ENDS