It is beyond time to isolate Israel
It is beyond time to isolate Israel - The Labour Party
A group of Irish Healthcare Workers, including some who have recently returned home from Gaza, addressed assembled TDs and Senators today at a lunchtime briefing in Leinster House arranged by Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove.
The group spoke of how no aspect of healthcare has been left untouched by the Israeli assault, and they outlined what the Irish Government could do to help end the suffering.
Speaking after the address, Labour Party Senator Nessa Cosgrove spoke of how the Israeli regime had descended into a new level of inhumanity and had clearly shown that they were now intent upon the deliberate and systematic eradication, not only of Hamas and Hezbollah but of the entire Palestinian people.
Senator Cosgrove said:
“The people of Gaza are now at real risk of full extermination. Over 52,000 have been killed and around 200,000 injured. The latest figures show that 300,000 children are now at risk of malnutrition, right in front of our eyes.
“Today, Irish Healthcare Workers for Palestine spoke to us to highlight the deliberate and systematic destruction of the healthcare system in Palestine.
“There is no longer a single, fully-functioning, hospital in Gaza. All have been damaged, many have been totally destroyed.
“While the killing of the 14 healthcare and unarmed civil defence workers, quite rightly, hit the headlines in March this year, this horrendous event represents just 1% of the killing of healthcare workers killed by Israel since October 2023. Between 1,000 and 1,400 healthcare workers have been killed by Israel, including some tortured to death.
“Hundreds of others have been abducted by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Surgeons have been assaulted and taken away mid-operation.
“Others have been prevented from offering assistance to those in need. They have been prevented from going to work, even from entering Gaza.
“Civilians have been abducted from hospital, even as they lay on the operating table.
“To deny suffering people, including children with horrific injuries, the assistance of a medic.
“To deny wounded and dying people the comfort of pain relief, the dignity of treatment, is unfathomable.
“These are War Crimes. There is no clearer evidence than this to show that the intent of the Israeli Government is to eradicate the Palestinian people.
“This is Genocide. It is inhuman.”
The former youth-worker, who represents Sligo-Leitrim, continued:
“Under the Geneva Convention, healthcare workers are granted specific rights and protections during times of war, which are supposed to guarantee that they can carry out their duties without undue interference. The Israeli Government have turned this on its head and in doing so have stuck two-fingers up to the International Community.
“The signs and symbols which should protect Healthcare Workers, and those seeking their assistance, the Red Cross, the Red Crescent, a Nurses Uniform, an ambulance, have ceased to be a protection. They have become a target.
“Medics, like politicians, have a responsibility to speak out when they see evil. It takes great courage to speak out, and many have been silenced. Silenced by the fear that they may not be allowed to re-enter Gaza.
“I am particularly honoured and humbled that this group of healthcare workers, who take seriously their Hippocratic duty to speak out in times of conflict, have chosen to speak out to us, to a group of assembled politicians. They are asking us to act in their name.
“The medics, along with the North-West Mothers for Justice and other pro-Palestinian groups from Sligo-Leitrim, who joined us today, have done their duty, now it is beyond time for us to do ours.”
Detailing what the Irish Government could do, Senator Cosgrove concluded:
“I am, once-again, calling on the Government to:
- Immediately enact the Occupied Territories Bill,
- To implement an Ethical Procurement Policy across all Government Departments and State Bodies,
- Stop Arms Transiting through Irish Airspace and Airports,
- Stop the Central Bank from selling Israeli War Bonds,
- Join the Hague Group of Nations,
- Immediately Boycott, Divest and Sanction Israel at every level.
“The time for talking is long past. It is time to act. Our actions are being watched, and we could send out a signal that would be seen by the whole World. We can no longer stand by watching this genocide unfold. We need to act, and we need to act now.”