“Taoiseach must use White House visit to raise grave concerns about safety of Irish peacekeepers”

The Taoiseach must use the opportunity of his White House meeting with President Joe Biden this week to express Ireland’s grave concerns about the threat to the safety of Irish peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon.

“The international community must urgently exert pressure on Israel to withdraw from areas close to the bases of UNIFIL troops in Lebanon,” Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on defence and foreign affairs, said.

We cannot tolerate a situation where Irish peacekeepers are effectively being used as human shields by Israel in their war with Hezbollah.

“It is deeply concerning that Israel has not responded to calls from UNIFIL to immediately withdraw their troops from positions just a few hundred metres from where Irish peacekeepers are based.

“During his visit to the White House this week, Simon Harris must forcefully express his condemnation of Israel’s incursion into areas close to where members of the Irish Defence Forces are serving.

“As Israel’s greatest cheerleaders, the United States must use their influence to de-escalate the widening conflict in the Middle East and make the safety of UNIFIL bases a red line issue.

“In addition, the Minister for Foreign Affairs must outline to the Dáil this week what plans are in place – in the event of a worst-case scenario – for the swift exfiltration of Irish soldiers in Southern Lebanon.

“In the meantime, it is essential that Israel abides by Security Council-mandated resolutions to ensure the safety and freedom of movement of UNIFIL peacekeepers.”