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LAST UPDATE | 6 May
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has condemned Israel’s siege of the Gaza Strip in Palestine as a war crime, insisting the blockade must be lifted immediately in order to prevent “a hunger crisis”.
Multiple aid agencies and UN officials have warned that people are starving to death in the territory, which has been under a total siege since early March.
“There simply must be an immediate cease fire, the release of all remaining hostages and the resumption of unhindered humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, and at an unprecedented scale,” Martin said in a speech at a Global Ireland conference this afternoon in Dublin.
“Israel’s continuing humanitarian blockade is pushing Gaza closer to a hunger crisis,” Martin said.
“This must be lifted immediately. It is simply wrong in principle and in law to inflict hunger and suffering on a civilian population, whatever the circumstances.
This behaviour clearly constitutes a war crime.
“Fundamentally it is a breach of international law, and to conduct the war in that manner, to deprive an entire population of food, of the necessities of life – of basic life – in my view constitutes a war crime.”
Martin also said it was “wholly unacceptable” that Israel is planning the mass displacement of people in Gaza, or that its government is considering “permanent occupation”.
“Not only is it an affront to decency and to international law, history tells us it offers absolutely no solution.
“From any human perspective, this is something that has to stop.”
Martin went on to say that he is aware that there is a divide on the issue globally and within the European Union. He said that Ireland’s position has always been guided by international humanitarian law.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said earlier today that he is “sickened” by Israel’s continued blocking of aid meant for Gaza and argued that the “world is not doing enough”.
“We cannot and will not stand idly by and let this happen,” he said.
“When people look back at this moment in history, they’re going to look back and they’re going to say the world did not do enough. Be clear about that, the world is not doing enough,” he added.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs was also speaking at the Global Ireland conference in Dublin Castle, where he delivered a speech about Ireland’s role in the world and this government’s foreign policy.
Harris told those gathered that Israel’s latest plan to expand its operation in Gaza is “extraordinarily alarming”. He appealed for Israel to comply with international law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant are currently wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their prosecution of the war in Gaza.
Among the crimes alleged by the ICC prosecutor are extermination and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
The Tánaiste also spoke about the need for an end to Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.
He said Russia’s actions represent a “serious threat to global peace and security” and stressed that any negotiations on peace must have Ukraine’s voice at the centre.
He argued that one of the most important long-term security guarantees that can be offered to Ukraine is membership of the European Union.
“It is time to bring Ukraine into the European family where it belongs,” he said to applause.
Also speaking this morning at the conference was Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, who addressed the conference by video link from Kyiv.
In his speech, he thanked Ireland for “standing on the side of good” since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
He said he does not believe Moscow is serious about a ceasefire.
“Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire,” he said, adding that the country is also ready for real peace but that confidence measures are needed, such as the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
The Tánaiste also spoke about the European Union’s response to Trump’s tariffs.
He stressed that the EU stands united in its response to the economic uncertainty, adding that “so many people underestimate EU unity”.
He said Ireland sees “no justification at all for tariffs imposed by the US”.
“Those who think the European Union will not be united on trade and the economy, don’t understand the European Union and don’t understand our values,” he said.
In attendance today at the Global Ireland Summit in Dublin Castle are members for Ireland’s diplomatic corps, leaders from across the civil and public service, business, and the community and civil society sectors.
Ireland’s ambassadors, consuls general and other senior officials from across the Embassy network are also in attendance.
With reporting from Christina Finn and David Mac Redmond
Need more information on what is happening in Israel and Palestine? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to navigating the news online.
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