The Taoiseach must push for the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement at this week’s European Council meeting following the appalling massacre of more than 400 people in Gaza by Israeli forces, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney.
Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on international affairs, said:
“The fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has come to a devastating end with the indiscriminate killing of hundreds of Gazans, many of them children, in multiple Israeli airstrikes. This will further compound the misery of a population already facing starvation and death due to Israel continuing to block the distribution of essential food and medical aid to the war-ravaged region.
“Netanyahu’s government continues to be emboldened by the unwavering support of President Trump’s administration, and it is telling that this latest atrocity was conducted with the advance knowledge and imprimatur of Washington.
“At this week’s European Council meeting, the Taoiseach must reiterate Ireland’s condemnation of the ongoing genocide being carried out by Israel in Gaza. In addition, he must call for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement on the basis that Israel is yet again guilty of an egregious breach of the humanitarian clause of this trade pact.
“In a statement today, the Taoiseach says he will be calling for a ‘clear and united EU position aimed at stopping any further escalation’. He needs to clarify what exactly he means by that.
“The renewed bombardment of Gaza by Israel also highlights the importance of Ireland enacting the Occupied Territories Bill, a pre-election commitment that the new government has cynically backtracked on. It is particularly concerning that the Taoiseach stated during his visit to Washington that this bill is no longer on the legislative calendar, which suggests it has been completely abandoned by the government.
“The Taoiseach failed to represent the views of the Irish people, when it comes to their horror at the ongoing genocide in Gaza, during his meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office. He must not remain silent yet again in Brussels this week.”
March 18, 2025