Ireland must be clear and condemn breaking of International Law
Ireland must be clear and condemn breaking of International Law - The Labour Party
- Spineless response to US and Israeli strikes is shameful
Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson Deputy Duncan Smith has slammed the Government response after the Minister for Foreign Affairs McEntee refused on RTÉ’s News at One to condemn US and Israeli strikes on Iran as a breach of international law. Following attacks and further comments from Minister Thomas Byrne on Morning Ireland, Deputy Smith said the Government’s refusal to clearly call out violations of international law is unacceptable.
Deputy Smith said:
“What we witnessed this weekend in Iran marks an incredibly dangerous escalation in an already volatile region. Let me be clear, we unequivocally condemn the tyrannical Iranian regime and its repression at home and destabilising actions abroad. But the attacks carried out by the United States and Israel over the weekend represent a clear breach of international law. Two things can be true at once. We can oppose an authoritarian regime and still insist that international law must be upheld.
“Yet today, on the News at One, the Minister Helen McEntee refused to say so. That failure of leadership damages Ireland’s standing and undermines our long held commitment to peace and to a rules based international order.
“It is not credible for Government to hide behind vague language. Minister Thomas Byrne’s comments on Morning Ireland only compounded the problem. Instead of clearly stating that these attacks breach international law, Government chose hedging and deflection. That is spineless.
“We also have a US administration that continues to display authoritarian tendencies, with these attacks being no exception. Ireland cannot turn a blind eye to that reality. Our foreign policy cannot bend depending on who occupies the White House or in anticipation of a St Patrick’s Day visit. If this Government is soft pedalling its response because it fears upsetting Washington ahead of a photo opportunity, that is an abdication of responsibility.
“Ireland’s voice matters when it is clear and principled. Today it was neither. Government must immediately state that these strikes constitute a breach of international law and commit to a strategy of de-escalation at EU level. Anything less sends a message that international law applies only when it suits, and that is a dangerous road to travel.”