Tipperary Sinn Fein TD Martin Browne is calling for international leadership to step up and demand a ceasefire and an end to the bombardment of Gaza.
Deputy Browne says “The actions of Hamas on October 7th were unacceptable and must be condemned.” The TD adds that the response from Israel must be condemned, because the actions seen to-date cannot be described as defensive actions.
Given that people are dying in their thousands the TD says the International leadership appears to fall short of dialogue leading to a ceasefire.
“Ireland needs to be a voice for de-escalation, for a ceasefire, for humanitarian aid, for dialogue, for International Law to be upheld given that the current situation has a backdrop of decades of occupation, apartheid and the violation of international treaties” according to the Cashel based TD.
Deputy Browne says Ireland can show international leadership by recognising the state of Palestine, and by progressing the Occupied Territories and Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill.
Separately, a rally by the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign is to be held in Thurles tonight at 7.30pm. The rally point is the 1798 Memorial in Liberty Square.
Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary, Jackie Cahill, is welcoming an announcement by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheál Martin, that €13m is being made available to aid the people of Palestine.
€10m will be allocated for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and €3m for United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Deputy Cahill says, “We cannot forget that 80% of the Palestinian population in Gaza is dependent on international assistance for basic human needs. Fianna Fáil in Government remains committed to delivering this vital support to Palestinian civilians and their needs should continue to be a central part of the overall response to this crisis by the international community.”
Deputy Cahill adds that “The Government has also made clear that we support an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, to give space to establish humanitarian corridors to meet the immediate needs of all civilians in Gaza.
