Gaza humanitarian crisis
Holly Cairns highlighted Israel’s attacks on Gaza, starvation and mass casualties, and called for stronger action. The Taoiseach said Ireland was working through the EU-Israel association agreement and on possible sanctions, and offered further details in writing.
Israel is continuing its relentless attack on Gaza. More than 30,000 people have been killed and starvation is being used as a weapon of war. At the weekend, distressing images of a ten-year-old child with cerebral palsy, Yazan al-Kafarneh, circulated online. He needed a specialised diet that he was not able to get, so, reduced to skin and bone, he starved to death alongside 20 other children. The Israeli Government continues to deny food aid to Gaza. Last Thursday, over 100 people were killed and more than 750 injured when Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd desperate for rations of flour. Israel’s every action is designed to cause maximum pain, maximum devastation and maximum cruelty. It is unforgivable to not do everything we can to try to help the situation. Israel is committing war crimes and starving innocent children daily. What is the Government doing to continue lobbying for EU trade sanctions? What will the next steps be?
Comment on this
I set out in detail the things we are doing in response to a previous question. That question may have been from the Deputy or from someone else. We continue to pursue this issue in the context of the EU-Israel association agreement. We will do so again at the European Council meeting later this month. The Tánaiste in particular is working on the issue of sanctions relating to violent settlers. There are a number of other things as well. Perhaps I can set them out in writing to the Deputy.