MLA blasts first ministers for meeting US company supplying Israeli military
PBP’S Carroll brands the move ‘deplorable amid genocide in Gaza’
PEOPLE Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll has slammed Michelle O’neill and Emma Little-pengelly for meeting a US engineering company which supplies the Israeli military with machinery to use in Gaza.
During their visit to Washington last month, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister met with Caterpillar, which provides its huge D9R armoured bulldozers to Israel.
The machines have a highly controversial history.
They were also used in the 2008-09 Gaza War, which left up to 1,400 people dead.
In 2003, American peace activist Rachel Corrie was crushed to death by a D9R as she tried to stop a bulldozer demolishing Palestinian homes in southern Gaza.
Mr Carroll lambasted Ms O’neill and Ms Little-pengelly for also meeting Israeli-founded cybersecurity firm Forescout, which has a contract with the US Department of Defense.
He said: “It is deplorable for the First and Deputy First Minister to meet these firms during Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
“Caterpillar is complicit in the Israeli occupation, enabling the illegal bulldozing of Palestinian homes. This is not reflective of Caterpillar workers, but of the horrific profiteering of Caterpillar bosses.
“Israeli-founded Forescout continues to do business with Israel’s chief military backer, and should never have been at that meeting.”
Mr Carroll added: “When O’neill and Little-pengelly travelled to Washington, they boasted that the north was open for business — apparently this includes businesses that support the apartheid Israeli regime.
“In particular, Michelle O’neill claimed she would criticise Biden for supporting the genocide. In stark contrast, she rubbed shoulders with those directly connected to the brutal Israeli occupation of Palestine.
“Visiting the White House was a blatant breach of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) principles held by the Palestine solidarity movement. These revelations are a further abandonment of the Palestinians facing genocide when support is most desperately needed.”
Mr Carroll said it was shameful that Caterpillar and Forescout were among the firms with whom Ms O’neill and Ms Little-pengelly held roundtable discussions.
“I call on the Stormont Executive parties to immediately distance themselves from firms who breach BDS or support the murderous Israeli regime.
“The First and Deputy First Minister must jointly call for a ceasefire and formally cut all ties with the Israeli regime. “It is deplorable that they met these firms during Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister have been approached for comment.
A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: “Sinn Fein’s support for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian aid and political dialogue is absolute.
“Ms O’neill made this clear on a number of occasions during her visit to the US, including in two meetings with the US President.”
The disclosure that the pair met the two companies came in reply to a written Assembly question from Mr Carroll who had asked for a breakdown of the businesses with whom they had held discussions.
The Executive Office replied that Ms O’neill and Ms Little-pengelly had addressed events where US business organisations were present, including the Ireland Funds National Gala, the NI Bureau Breakfast Reception and the US Special Envoy for Economic Affairs Reception.
“In addition, we had a roundtable discussion with business organisations facilitated by the American Chamber of Commerce, which included representatives of Forescout, Merck, Cigna Healthcare, AIG, Caterpillar, BD, Pfizer and Amazon,” it added.