Martin Daly: Condemns Gaza killings, urges EU to force change
Martin Daly condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, calling the response to the October 7th attacks "totally disproportionate" and describing the killing of 54,000 people and deliberate targeting by hunger as inexplicable and unforgivable. He urged Ireland and the European Union to use their influence to force Israel to change course and to act collectively to avoid the "stain of genocide".
He described the October 7th attacks as despicable but said the Israeli response has been a totally disproportionate reaction, citing the killing of 54,000 people and what he called the deliberate use of hunger and total war against a whole population.
He argued that the situation will not change until the big countries of Europe and the United States force Israel to alter its course and urged collective action by Europe to hold Israel accountable.
He noted that Ireland has taken steps already - bringing the Israeli government to the International Court of Justice, recognising the State of Palestine and advocating within Europe for changes in trade policy.
He said there appears to be a shift in opinion in Europe, pointing out that Germany is now questioning the strategy of the war and that this opening should be pushed to build wider European pressure.
He implored the minister to use all of Ireland's influence to press the larger European bloc into action in order to change Israel's course against the Palestinian people and to prevent what he characterised as the stain of genocide.
Condemnation of conduct
He described the October 7th attacks as despicable but said the Israeli response has been a totally disproportionate reaction, citing the killing of 54,000 people and what he called the deliberate use of hunger and total war against a whole population.
Calls for European and international pressure
He argued that the situation will not change until the big countries of Europe and the United States force Israel to alter its course and urged collective action by Europe to hold Israel accountable.
Ireland's current measures
He noted that Ireland has taken steps already - bringing the Israeli government to the International Court of Justice, recognising the State of Palestine and advocating within Europe for changes in trade policy.
Perceived shift in European opinion
He said there appears to be a shift in opinion in Europe, pointing out that Germany is now questioning the strategy of the war and that this opening should be pushed to build wider European pressure.
Direct appeal to the minister
He implored the minister to use all of Ireland's influence to press the larger European bloc into action in order to change Israel's course against the Palestinian people and to prevent what he characterised as the stain of genocide.
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Transcript
I just want to put on the record my horror at the actions of Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza. It has been a totally disproportionate reaction to the October 7th attacks, which were despicable. But the killing of 54,000 people, the deliberately targeting by hunger and total war against a whole population of people is simply inexplicable and unforgivable. We do have to use our best influence through the European Union because this dial won't shift until the big countries of Europe and the United States force Israel to change this course of action. Ireland has been to the fore bringing the Israeli government to the International Court of Justice, recognising the State of Palestine and also advocating within Europe for a change in trade policy. It appears there is a shift in opinion in Europe. And now Germany itself is questioning the strategy of this war. They have a particular psychological issue to do with Israel in their support for Israel, which was blind until now. We need to push that opening. We need to force Europe to take action against Israel as a collective. We cannot have the stain of genocide on our side without speaking out. And whilst Ireland has done its bit, it needs to do more to that bigger block of the European Union. I implore you, Minister, to use all of our influence to bring change to this war and change Israel's course of action against the Palestinian people. Thank you very much.