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 foreign affairs, said:
“In 2022, following the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, 35 Fianna Fáil parliamentary party members signed a petition to expel the Russian ambassador.
“Similarly, 13 members of Fine Gael’s parliamentary party also signed a petition demanding the expulsion of the Russian ambassador to reflect Ireland’s disgust and anger over Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Among them were former Foreign Affairs Minister, and Chair of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee, Charlie Flanagan; and Neale Richmond and Jennifer Carroll McNeill – who subsequently became ministers of State.
“Today, I have written to all the signatories from both parties, asking them to employ the same logic they used when demanding the expulsion of the Russian ambassador, and support a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday.
“More than 11,000 Palestinians, including 5,000 children, have now been slaughtered by Israeli missile strikes in Gaza. Food, water, fuel and medical supplies have been cut off for more than five weeks – with just a trickle of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza. The healthcare system has collapsed; more than 100 UN workers are confirmed dead; and over 40 journalists have also been killed.
“The carnage of civilians in Gaza is barbaric and shameful. This State – which values human rights and international law – must take a strong stance against collective punishment of 2.3 million people and Israel’s clear violations of international law.
“As well as including a demand to remove diplomatic status from the Israeli ambassador, our motion asks the Government to lobby for EU-wide economic sanctions on Israel. This should include the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and restricting Israel’s access to the €95 billion Horizon Europe fund for research and innovation.
“Ireland must also make a referral to the International Criminal Court requesting that it investigate whether members of the Israeli government and military have committed war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
“Cross-party support for the Social Democrats’ motion would send a powerful message to the international community that Ireland is not prepared to sit idly by and do nothing in the face of Israel’s massacre of innocent civilians.”
November 13, 2023
Note:
The full text of our motion can be read here
The letter sent to FF parliamentary party members can be read here
The letter sent to FG TDs can be read here
Letters were sent to the following FF TDs, Senators and MEP: Jim O’Callaghan, Niamh Smyth, John Lahart, Paul McAuliffe, Chris O’Sullivan, Michael Moynihan, Paidi O’Sullivan, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, John McGuinness, Sean Haughey, Cormac Devlin, Jackie Cahill, James Lawless, Willie O’Dea, Cathal Crowe, Joe Flaherty, Brendan Smith, Dara Calleary, Barry Cowen, Timmy Dooley, Lisa Chambers, Erin McGreehan, Denis O’Donovan, Paul Daly, Robbie Gallagher, Diarmuid Wilson, Ollie Crowe, Fiona O’Loughlin, Lorraine Clifford Lee, Niall Blayney, Ned O’Sullivan, Gerry Horkan, Mary Fitzpatrick, Eugene Murphy and Billy Kelleher
Letters were sent to the following FG TDs and Senators: Neale Richmond, Charlie Flanagan, Brendan Griffin, Jennifer Carroll McNeill, Alan Dillon, Alan Farrell, Joe McHugh, Ciaran Cannon, Emer Higgins, Michael Ring, John Paul Phelan, Richard Bruton and Joe Carey.