Government must end role of data centres being used in Palestinian surveillance

Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has demanded that the government take action over the role of data centres here in handling Israeli military information.

On Wednesday, a report from The Guardian revealed that Irish and Dutch data centres were being used by Microsoft to handle Israeli surveillance of Palestinians.

Boylan said “the government must urgently step in and ensure that no businesses here are facilitating Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”

“These leaked documents confirm that data centres in both Ireland and the Netherlands are playing a role in helping to prepare the airstrikes that Israel is using to carpet bomb civilians.”

The Sinn Féin MEP said “it’s beyond appalling that a key part of Israel’s genocidal operations is being prepared and processed on Irish soil.”

“This raises real concerns about the government, our obligation to prevent genocide, uphold international law, and locating so many data centres here to begin with,” she said.

Boylan remarked “the same government who rolled out the red carpet for data centres, has allowed them to play a role in facilitating crimes against humanity – damaging our position as a neutral state in the process.”

“The government needs to immediately step in and ensure that these centres end their role in the targeted killing of innocent Palestinians.”

“Upholding international law is more important than a free hand for data centres to operate here as they see fit.”