Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe TD, has extended his party’s solidarity greetings with the Palestinian people to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

This year 2014 is also designated as the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Deputy Seán Crowe said;

“The UN General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29th of November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People in 1977.

“The Palestinian people have been an inspiration and their resilience an inspiration to all those who are struggling for freedom and self determination.

“This year has already seen over 2,100 Palestinians in Gaza being killed by the Israeli military assault on their isolated and besieged territory. People across the world quite rightly protested against this latest Israeli assault and marched in solidarity with the besieged and occupied people of Palestine.

“We witnessed Irish people coming out in their tens of thousands across the island while this current Government cowardly abstained on a UN Human Rights vote condemning Israel. To this day it still refuses to take a principled position within the  European Union and officially recognise the State of Palestine.

“Once again tensions are reaching breaking point in Jerusalem due to the sectarian and warmongering approach of Israel’s right wing and fundamentalist driven Government.

“They continue to play dangerous politics with religious sites in Occupied East Jerusalem and the amount of colonial settlements is increasing.

“Last week the Israeli Cabinet also approved a draft piece of legislation that would institutionalise apartheid by turning Arab citizens into second class citizens in their own land and depriving them of their basic social, political and economic rights.

“On behalf of Sinn Féin I would like to extend our warmest solidarity greetings to you the Palestinian people. Today we commend you for your resolve, your bravery, in your long and just struggle for freedom, self-determination and independence.”

ENDS