Michael D Higgins TD

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Safety of all those involved in 'Viva Palestina' a major concern

Issued : Wednesday 6 January, 2010

Michael D Higgins, Labour Party President and Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, has called again for the safe passage to and from Gaza of those humanitarian activists involved in the ‘Viva Palestina’ organisation which is seeking to bring vital supplies, both food and medical, to those 1.5 million people living in what is little less than an open prison in the Gaza Strip. These supplies were initially to have arrived in Gaza on 27 December last, the anniversary of Operation ‘Cast Lead’.

Deputy Higgins said:” Ongoing disturbances, injuries and, even, tragically, deaths, have been occurring at the Egyptian/Gazan border since the start of the year. The work which those brave persons involved in the Viva Palestina project are undertaking is vital and I salute their courage; however, it is equally important that none be injured, or worse. Reports suggest, for example, that up to five Irish citizens suffered injury overnight at El-Arish port in Egypt.

“I am glad to hear the Minister for Foreign Affairs’ statements and to further hear that he has been in touch with our Ambassador in Egypt, but it is incumbent on his government to do all that it can in order ensure the safety of those Irish citizens who are in the area, seeking to cross the border.

“I first raised my concerns in this regard with the Egyptian Ambassador some days ago and will continue to aid in any way that I, on behalf of the Labour party, can. I applaud the bravery of the activists and would urge Egyptian border guards, and their Israeli counterparts- who, of course, claim jurisdiction over border points into Gaza- to allow these much needed supplies through and to play their part in ensuring that there is no further bloodshed.

“The present position in Gaza is however more than a humanitarian disaster: it is a political disgrace. Following his recent visit several weeks ago Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa stressed again that the siege, now underway for more than two years, is destroying all hope. Gaza, which is half the size of County Louth, has been turned into a prison for the population of 1.5m people, half of whom are under 18 years of age.

"He continued: ‘The Irish Government must renew its demand for an end to the siege and unilaterally initiate political and commercial steps to demonstrate to Israel that its actions in Gaza, and its settlement and apartheid activity in the West bank and East Jerusalem, are simply not acceptable.’

“These are words which I echo and I make the call, additionally, that Minister Micheál Martin and other foreign ministers of the EU visit the area to which the European Union has made a commitment in terms of development and humanitarian aid, and, if refused entry, to announce that they will immediately review the European Union/ Israel Trade Agreement with a view to its suspension should the human rights clauses therein be clearly breached.”