The Social Democrats have strongly condemned today’s violence in Gaza in which dozens of Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured by Israeli troops on the day the US opens its embassy in Jerusalem.
The party’s co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said:
“The decision by President Trump to move the US embassy to Jerusalem is utterly misguided and reckless. It was inevitable that this provocative move, timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, would stoke tensions in the region.
“The international community cannot stand by in the face of Israel’s attacks on ordinary men and women demonstrators, which has made today the bloodiest day in occupied Gaza since the 2014 war.
“The Social Democrats fully support the Irish government’s clear position that Ireland will not move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem until there is agreement on a broader peace process.
“Israel’s sovereignty over Jerusalem has never been recognised internationally and it is essential that the final status of the city is agreed in peace talks. Today’s US move will further destabilise the occupied Palestinian Territories and inflame tensions in the entire region.”
ENDS
15 May 2018