Amnesty urges Irish Government to take stronger action over Gaza crisis

Amnesty International Ireland has called on the Irish Government to take urgent and concrete action in response to reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a full re-occupation of the Gaza Strip.

Stephen Bowen, Executive Director of Amnesty Ireland, said Ireland must use its “position of integrity and influence” to help end what he described as “state-engineered starvation and atrocities against civilians in Gaza.”

Reiterating calls for the unconditional release of all hostages, an immediate ceasefire, and a comprehensive arms embargo, Mr Bowen said the scale of the crisis demanded more decisive measures.

“Faced with this calamity of all calamities, and the unimaginable suffering of civilians, we witness the continuing impotence of the EU and its institutions, flowing only from its self-imposed powerlessness,” he said.

“In the absence of strong, concrete measures, why should we expect the course of this catastrophe to change?”

He criticised the EU for continuing to grant Israel special privileges through its Association Agreement, adding that Ireland should act independently if Brussels fails to do so.

“We have repeatedly commended Ireland for being one of very few European states to strongly condemn Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and other crimes under international law committed against civilians during this appalling war,” he said.

“We desperately need more courageous action from Ireland now to stop the bloodshed, starvation and carnage.

“The time has come for concrete action here at home to signal our disgust at Israel’s genocide.

“We call upon the Irish Government to now act as if the EU Association Agreement had been suspended.

“Until the EU suspends the Association Agreement, member states must take matters into their own hands and unilaterally suspend all forms of cooperation with Israel that may contribute to its serious violations of international law.”

Mr Bowen urged the Government to take legal action against the EU before the Court of Justice of the European Union if it believes it cannot legally suspend cooperation.

“I truly believe Ireland has the standing to do more to help bring an end to the ongoing atrocities, and this deliberate use of starvation as an instrument of genocide,” he said.

“If Ireland stands tall, others will follow. But it must do so now, before it is too late. It will be an act of courage, and with courage comes hope.”