News

The Tánaiste’s call for an EU-wide travel ban on violent Jewish settlers must be extended to include extremist members of the Israeli government, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, said: “Last month, the Tánaiste said he would be calling for sanctions to be applied against […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed today’s decision by the International Court of Justice, calling it a landmark ruling that must be a turning point to end the violence. “Today’s landmark ruling by the ICJ is a clear win for South Africa and must be a turning point in this horrific conflict. “Significantly, the […]

The Government must not evade its obligation under the Genocide Convention to act to prevent a genocide in Gaza, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “The level of death and devastation in Gaza is unparalleled and unprecedented in modern times. Civilians are being killed and maimed in their tens of thousands, while the western […]

The Social Democrats will introduce a Dáil motion next week (Wednesday, January 24) calling on the Irish Government to support South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Party leader Holly Cairns said: “We cannot stand idly by while the daily slaughter of innocent civilians in Gaza […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has written to the Taoiseach urging the Irish Government to support the case taken by South Africa against Israel in the International Court of Justice under the 1948 Genocide Convention. “I listened to the Taoiseach’s comments over the weekend with disappointment, when he said he had no intention of joining […]

The Government’s refusal to allow time next week for a Dáil debate on Ireland formally recognising the State of Palestine – to coincide with International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – has been described as a missed opportunity by Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has written to nearly 50 Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parliamentary party members, who signed petitions to expel the Russian ambassador due to Russian human rights abuses, asking them to support his party’s motion to expel the Israeli ambassador on similar grounds. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on […]

The Social Democrats will bring a motion before the Dáil next week (Wednesday, November 15) calling on the Government to withdraw diplomatic status from the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland and push for the imposition of EU-wide economic sanctions on Israel. Party leader Holly Cairns said: “The permissive and ambivalent reaction by the international community to […]

The EU’s trade deal with Israel should be suspended until the Israeli government complies with international law, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “The ambivalent response of the international community to the litany of war crimes being carried out in Gaza is shameful. The UN Security Council is toothless; the UN General Assembly is […]

At tomorrow’s emergency summit of European leaders, the Taoiseach must condemn EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s decision to offer unqualified support to Israel’s ethnic cleansing in Gaza, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “On Friday, Ursula von der Leyen had a valuable opportunity to make a positive […]