An Ireland South MEP has echoed calls for trade between the EU and Israel to be halted as a means of putting pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
It comes one day after a Social Democrats motion to expel the Israeli ambassador and push for the EU-Israel trade to be suspended was defeated in the Dáil.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin was required to make an emergency stop and remain in his armoured car en route to Jerusalem this morning due to an air raid warning in the area.
Following the news that the Israeli army has dropped leaflets on Khan Younis in Southern Gaza instructing civilians to move to the west of the city for their safety, United Nations human rights chief Volter Turk has declared “we do not consider any part of Gaza to be safe”.
The Director General of Gaza Hospitals meanwhile has confirmed that Israeli vehicles and tanks have entered al-Shifa hospital, which is the territory’s largest medical facility and is currently holding 650 patients who are yet to be evacuated.
More Irish citizens are expected to be granted passage through the Rafah gate from Gaza into Egypt today, after 23 successfully crossed the border yesterday.
Ibrahim Alagha, who safely arrived in Egypt with his family last night, says the horror he experienced in Gaza is in stark contrast to the sense of security he now feels.
At home, outrage has been expressed by opposition TDs following the rejection of a Social Democrats motion seeking to expel the Israeli ambassador.
The motion also would have seen Ireland use its influence in the European Parliament to push for a suspension of the EU-Israel trade deal.
The EU is Israel’s largest trade market and accounts for approximately one third of Israel’s total trade, while in 2020, Israel was ranked as the EU’s 24th trade partner.
Green Party Ireland South MEP Grace O’Sullivan has suggested using these trade links to push the Israeli government towards a peaceful two-state solution.
Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported that 11,100 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7th, which equates to 0.5% of its population, or one out of every 200 people.
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