Sinn Féin motion fails to condemn Hamas’ action; Government will support the motion only if it acknowledges violence from all sides
DUBLIN: Ireland, which has always been strongly opposed to Israel’s dictatorship and aggression, has now taken a tougher line against Hamas. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney’s anti-Hamas remarks on the Sinn Féin motion are seen as a significant change in Ireland’s stance.
Simon Coveney said the government would only vote in favor of the Sinn Féin motion on Israeli occupation of Palestinian land if it added a paragraph condemning Hamas’ actions. The cabinet had formally convened to discuss its position on the issue.
It was decided at the meeting that the government would support the motion only if it acknowledged the violence in the region, from all sides. Coveney said the resolution underscores the fact that Ireland takes the current situation in Palestine very seriously.
“Israel’s actions in increasing the scope and density of settlements and surrounding infrastructure, which effectively cuts off East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank, indicates an intention of permanency,” Coveney said.
Coveney also pointed out that Ireland is the first EU member to state to take a hard line on this issue. He said the government hopes that the motion will be supported by all parties and that the Dáil would send a message to the international community.
Government amendment will “bring about balance” to the motion: Coveney
Coveney criticized Sinn Féin for its “inability” to condemn Hamas’s use of rockets to kill children and innocent civilians in Israel. The minister expressed disappointment that the main opposition party failed to condemn Hamas’s actions. Coveney said the government amendment to include this condemnation will “bring about balance” to the motion.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald remarked in the Dáil that the Irish parliament can speak with one voice and stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Sinn Féin motion called on all parties to recognise international humanitarian law and international human rights legislation in order to protect civilians.
Sinn Féin’s John Brady said Ireland is the first country to accuse Israel of annexing Palestinian lands. “Ireland has the potential to be a pathfinder for a principled and morally robust approach within the European Union and the UN Security Council,” he said.
People Before Profit’s Gino Kenny pointed out that the imposition of sanctions on Belarus while ignoring the killing of children in Palestine was the hypocrisy of the European Union. The party also proposed an amendment to expel the Israeli ambassador from Ireland.
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