Local TDs from both government and opposition parties have said that Ireland must use the upcoming presidency of the European Union to put pressure on Israel.
The Israeli treatment of prisoners garnered global headlines this week, with far-right Israeli cabinet Minister Ben-Gvir videoing himself taunting activists who were detained by Israeli authorities for attempting to deliver aid into Gaza.
The footage garnered global criticism, and local members of the opposition have said the footage should be the impetus for Ireland to apply pressure to Israel at a European level.
Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe said, “a constituent of mine, Mikey Cullen, rang me from the flotilla,” prior to their interception and detainment by Israeli authorities.
“Incidentally, he is the third constituent of mine on different flotillas. We agreed and disagreed on different things as he was floating off in the Mediterranean. What is utterly unacceptable is that in what is effectively international waters, Israel can take constituents of mine from a boat, forcibly put them through a process to say that they illegally entered either Israel or Gaza, then humiliate them on video and send them back to Istanbul.
“I know the Minister rejects that. I know the government rejects that. The three constituents would tell me that it is nothing in comparison to what the people of Gaza and other people in the West Bank have been through. I ask the Minister to continue to take strong action on this issue,” the Dublin North-West TD said.
The Fianna Fáil TD asked Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, if she and the government were “pursuing action at the EU level with regard to the growing violence and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.”
Minister McEntee responded, “whether people agree or disagree with the approach taken by the flotilla, I certainly understand why people have taken that approach.”
“People in Ireland feel they want to do something. Many feel they cannot, and these types of actions have been taken. I am very clear, whether you agree or disagree with it, that they were illegally detained in international waters. It is completely against the law, and that is why other countries and I have, in the strongest terms possible, objected to this.”
“I have raised this at the highest level, and I will continue to push for change and response at an EU level. I have been doing that this week and for the last number of weeks.
To members of the opposition, however, merely condemning Israel is not enough.
Labour TD Marie Sherlock said the government were sitting on their hands with the suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement.
With Ireland due to assume the presidency of the EU in July, Sherlock said Ireland should use the opportunity to assert material pressure on the Israeli government instead of a strongly worded letter.“It was February 2024 when the Irish Government first brought the EU-Israel trade agreement to the European Council. It is now two and a half years later, and there has been zero action; what I am hearing today is a strategy of crossing fingers and toes and hoping other countries keep up with us with regard to the plan to outlaw trade from illegal settlements,” Sherlock remarked.
“What I am hearing today, which is more worrying, is that the government is now narrowing its intent. It is going after violent settlers. It is not going after all trade from the illegal settlements but violent settlers. I would like to hear the clarification on that point. Ireland has a proud tradition of diplomacy and using our voices and words. The time for voices and words is over.”
The Dublin Central TD said, “it is a time for economic action and sanctions against a government that is acting with impunity. There is no point continuing to talk and hoping that the rest of the world will catch up. We need to take the lead here and ensure that we send a clear signal that the disgraceful acts we saw yesterday are not tolerated.
Prior to going to press on Friday afternoon (May 22), the government indicated that they would be allowing a vote on the Occupied Territories Bill in the Dáil next week.
However, the opposition took issue with services being left out of the proposed government bill.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said services being dropped from the government proposal were “unacceptable and counterproductive.”
The Dublin Central TD said, “excluding services only sabotages the legislation’s purpose, as nearly 70% of trade between Ireland and the Occupied Territories is in services.”
McDonald said, “the decision of whether or not to include services in the Occupied Territories legislation is a political decision. The question is: does the Taoiseach and the government have the political will?”
She stated, “we have already had eight years of Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael delaying, foot-dragging, and attempting to dilute the legislation; that must end.”
The Occupied Territories Bill was first proposed back in January 2018 by independent Senator Frances Black.
The legislation would ban all trade with illegal Israeli settlements.
Since the Israeli invasion of Gaza in 2023, as well as their attacks on Lebanon and Iran, the Irish government has come under pressure to sanction Israel.
The enactment of the bill has been a long-term passion project by the opposition, but has been delayed on numerous occasions by the government.
Green TD and leader Roderic O’Gorman said that the EU presidency should be used to solidify Ireland’s support for Gaza at a European level.
He noted, “in less than five weeks’ time Ireland takes on the Presidency of the European Union. The Minister (McEntee) will personally chair meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council and the General Affairs Council. It is a unique privilege and it is a unique responsibility. Does the Minister intend to put the question of EU support for Palestinian statehood on the agenda of those meetings?”
O’Gorman said, “our recognition of Palestinian statehood in 2024 was an important moment but the government cannot keep referring back to that as if our responsibilities are fulfilled.”
Minister McEntee said she will be “working closely” with EU’s foreign affairs boss Kaja Kallas on the issue during Ireland’s EU presidency.
She said that “the situation in the Middle East, in Gaza and the West Bank is firmly on the agenda,” and she assured O’Gorman that “a number of actions will be taken.”
“We need to press not just the votes that I have spoken about on the EU-Israel association agreement, the banning of trade, the sanctions we approved last week, but also the need for greater levels of humanitarian access.”
She stated, “at every single Council meeting I attend we get an update from the Commission saying that not enough aid is getting in. We are seeing figures being put out that do not reflect the fact that half of the trucks going in do not have food but only products that can be sold that people cannot afford.”
“There is so much we need to do at a European level to keep this on the agenda. I am absolutely determined to do so and I assure the Deputy that this matter will be kept on the agenda during Ireland’s presidency.”