Gaza Flotilla Statement
Posted on June 21, 2010 at 01:16 PM
The events of last week are unprecedented; Israel engaged in an act of piracy on the high seas, killed and injured a large number of people then kidnapped 600, forced them to go to Israel before deporting them. Israel is operating as a rogue state in flagrant breach of international law. It is a law unto itself.
Israel has in particular treated Ireland with contempt in recent times. It put the lives of our citizens at risk by stealing their identities and manufacturing false passports and then using them to assassinate a Palestinian national. Now it has endangered the lives of our citizens who are part of the Flotilla bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Ireland has to show Israel that it will not accept this treatment of Irish Citizens. Ireland must impose sanctions on Israel.
The treatment of the Irish aid boat the Rachel Corrie will be a major test of the Israeli Government. It will also be a major test of our own Government who must ensure at all costs that the there is not a repeat of the incident that occurred last week. The Israeli Government should allow the Rachel Corrie to pass safely to Palestine and deliver the vital humanitarian aid it is carrying to Gaza.
Two weeks ago the Labour Party protested outside the department of Foreign Affairs to highlight and to oppose Irelands support for Israel’s application to join the OECD group of countries.
We stated then that Israel should not be allowed further preferential trading treatment until it had fully complied with international human rights requirements.
Yesterday I called on the Taoiseach in the Dáil to rescind the Irish decision of support and I am now calling again on the Taoiseach to do so.
Israel must be treated the same as any other nation that has transgressed international law. Despite their recent refusal to accept an external enquiry it must take place. At the upcoming meeting of the European Council Ireland must raise the issue of the absolute necessity for an independent international enquiry. The European Council meeting also provides the opportunity to discuss what sanctions are going to be placed on Israel. Israel cannot be allowed to continue to act as a nation above the Law.
