Update on Gaza
The world watches on aghast as Israel continues to prosecute its war against the people of Gaza with scant regard for civilian casualty, flouting international law and ignoring the clear wishes of the international community. The ground invasion of Rafah is compounding what is already a humanitarian catastrophe and heaping misery on a blameless population, many children among them.
I want to thank you for your advocacy in relation to the dreadful humanitarian crises ongoing in Gaza and to update you as a Waterford constituent on actions taken by this government in respect to the ongoing and disproportionate response by the Netanyahu government in Israel.
Our Green Party MEPs, including Grace O’Sullivan, just yesterday wrote to Ursula von der Leyen to clearly express our grave distress at the invasion of Rafah and to call on the President of the European Commission to intervene with the Israeli government.
For my own part, I have spoken in the Dáil repeatedly on this issue, most recently when I called on all of our government ministers to use the opportunity and access afforded by St. Patrick’s Day to bring the message of the Irish people to any of the countries visited in the course of their duties.
The Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, visited the Rafah Crossing as recently as 23rd April, where he described desperate humanitarian conditions and spoke to the need to keep the border open to allow for the flow of aid. This plea was clearly ignored. The Tánaiste also stated in very clear terms his view that what he was witnessing amounted to collective punishment.
We have commenced a process of divestment from all investments in the Occupied Territories. At the start of April, the Minister for Finance Michael McGrath announced that Ireland will withdraw all investment of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund from companies operating in occupied Palestine. You can read the full statement here and its report on RTE.
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/af66f-minister-mcgrath-notes-ntma-confirmation-of-divestment-from-certain-activities-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory/
In relation to international legal cases, Ireland , the situation in Palestine is under investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. The investigation covers suspected international crimes in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 2014 and includes what is happening currently, including the events of October 7 and all actions since that date. Ireland has made a submission to this case and this government has to date allocated an additional €3m in funding to assist with this investigation.
https://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-to-intervene-in-south-africas-genocide-case-against-israel-6338422-Mar2024/
Ireland has a record of intervening in international cases on Palestine. Two years ago, Ireland backed asking the ICJ to give an advisory opinion on the consequences of Israel’s policies and practices in occupied Palestinian. Ireland also made a written submission to the Court last July. In February, Ireland’s Attorney General addressed the oral proceedings of that ongoing case.
https://www.thejournal.ie/international-court-of-justice-israel-ireland-attorney-general-6304895-Feb2024/
February saw a concerted effort by the Israeli government to undermine UNWRA, the UN Works and Relief Agency, which is the primary humanitarian aid agency operating in Gaza. Resisting international pressure, Ireland instead announced a €20m to support UNRWA’s life-saving work in Gaza and help address UNRWA’s critical funding crisis and called on other donors to resume and expand support to UNRWA so that it can deliver for the millions of Palestinian people in need.
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/978dc-tanaiste-announces-20-million-in-support-for-the-un-relief-and-works-agency-unrwa/
Being honest, however, all these efforts have amounted to very little. Israel have proceeded with their plans to commence a ground invasion of Rafah, fully aware of the terrible toll of human death and suffering that this action will entail. And while they continue to have the support of major international actors, the US among them, they appear not to be for turning from this course.
Nevertheless, Ireland will continue to be a leading voice for peace on the international stage and will push for the recognition of the State of Palestine and ultimately the two-state solution.
Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD
