ISRAELI AMBASSADOR BOAZ Modai has been told of the “grave concerns” of the Irish people at yesterday’s bombing of a UN-run school in Gaza, after being called to a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan.
At least 15 people were killed during the Israeli shelling of the school, and a further 200 were injured.
It’s believed hundreds of people had sought refuge in the building, which is run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in the northern town of Beit Hanun.
“I expressed my own deep disquiet and the grave concerns of the Irish Government and people at the escalation of violence in Gaza and at yesterday’s latest atrocity,” Flanagan said in a statement released after this morning’s meeting.
Such attacks on civilian institutions such as schools and hospitals are utterly unacceptable, contrary to international law and must stop immediately.
“I requested the Ambassador to convey these messages on behalf of the Government to the Israeli Government and he undertook to do this immediately.
“The Government will continue its efforts across a range of fronts to address the appalling crisis and humanitarian situation with which we are now confronted in Gaza.
This includes addressing the underlying causes of the violence as well as supporting all international efforts to end the carnage and institute an immediate ceasefire.
The Government, and Flanagan in particular, have come in from criticism from the opposition and some backbench Labour TDs for their stance on the escalating crisis.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said earlier this week that the Government needed to properly articulate Ireland’s “outrage” to Gaza.
While two Labour TDs — Michael McCarthy and Derek Nolan — last night criticised Ireland’s abstention from a UN Human Rights Council vote on Gaza yesterday, with McCarthy labeling the decision “a disgrace”.
Labour’s justice spokesperson, Senator Ivana Bacik, said this afternoon that she was glad to hear that Flanagan had “expressed strong outrage to the Ambassador about the level of civilian casualties in Gaza”.
“I am also glad to hear the Minister told the Ambassador that attacks by Israel on civilian institutions such as schools and hospitals are utterly unacceptable,” Bacik said.
In a separate development this afternoon, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has written to the Taoiseach asking for the Dáil to be recalled to discuss the crisis in Gaza.
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