MEP expresses disappointment at Irish Government for not joining the South African case against Israel

SINN Féin MEP for Midlands North-West Chris MacManus has expressed his disappointment at the Irish government decision not to join the South African case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

MEP MacManus was speaking after meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid.

Speaking at the Palestinian Embassy in Dublin, MacManus said: “The death toll in Israel’s war on Gaza has reached figures that even the most cynical among us could not predict or expect.

“There can be no justification for the Israeli state forces to conduct military operations and bombardments of hospitals, schools, places of worship. In many instances, places where innocent men, women and children are seeking safety and shelter.

“As a member of both the European Parliament´s Delegation for relations with Palestine and Delegation for relations with South Africa, I am deeply disappointed that the Irish government failed to summon the moral courage required and to take a stand against these war crimes, and to join the South African case against Israel in the ICJ.”

MacManus concluded his remarks by outlining his fears that there is the potential for a wider regional conflict and stating his belief that the

European Union needs to call for an immediate permanent ceasefire and work towards a peaceful resolution.

“We have seen the violence spread beyond the Gazan and Israeli borders. Israeli operations have been conducted in the occupied West Bank and beyond even that.

“It is my firm belief that the European Union needs to take a strong position in favour of a ceasefire. Until that initial basic step is taken, the European Union will not be taken seriously as a partner for peace.

Chris MacManus MEP pictured with the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid at the Palestinian Embassy in Dublin last week.