Time for Europe to stand against war crimes
Time for Europe to stand against war crimes - The Labour Party
- Enact Occupied Territories Bill immediately
- Israel must be excluded from international culture, academia and sport
Labour’s Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Duncan Smith TD has condemned the Israeli administration’s escalated bombardment of Gaza, following reports that Israel intends to seize all of Gaza after 20 months of war and over 52,000 deaths. With over 50 days since food and medicine were last allowed into the territory, Deputy Smith has called for immediate humanitarian access, decisive action from the Irish Government, and a strong, unified European response.
Deputy Smith said:
“The scenes coming out of Gaza in recent days are devastating. It is over 50 days since food and medicine have been allowed in. This siege is collective punishment of an entire population and Ireland must do everything it can. That means political pressure at EU level, the immediate enactment of the Occupied Territories Bill here at home, and the removal of Israel from international cultural, academic and sporting platforms such as Eurovision and global tournaments.
“The world is watching in horror as a state flattens a people. The suffering in Gaza has shocked the conscience of humanity, and history will judge the bystanders. Spain and Ireland have stood up — but far too many in Europe have looked away.
“The European Union has stood by as Israel commits genocide. There have been no sweeping sanctions. No clear calls for justice. No effort to call out war crimes. This is one of those rare moments in history where right and wrong are starkly clear — and too many have chosen cowardice over conscience.
“We must be honest about the moral and political implications. The idea that a whole people can be treated as a roadblock to be destroyed is the logic of apartheid and ethnic cleansing. It cannot be tolerated.
“Labour is now calling for immediate humanitarian access to Gaza, decisive diplomatic action from the Irish Government, and for the crisis to be raised directly at the upcoming European Council meeting next month. Ireland must use every available channel — including EU forums — to push for a ceasefire, the end of the siege, and justice for the people of Gaza. The time for statements has long passed. The time for action is now.”