Ireland pens letter with other European countries in condemning Israel’s Gaza plan.
Ireland today jointly signed a letter with other European countries strongly condemning Israel’s plan to expand the war in Gaza.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, is among a number of signatories to the letter, along with his counterparts in Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain.
The letter states that the countries “strongly condemn the recent announcement of the intensification of the occupation and the military offensive, including in Gaza City.”
“This decision will only deepen the humanitarian crisis and further endanger the remaining hostages’ lives. This operation will lead to an unacceptable high toll of deaths and the forced displacement of nearly one million Palestinian civilians,” it adds.
The letter continues:
“We firmly reject any demographic or territorial changes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Actions in this regard constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
“The intensification of the military offensive and the occupation of Gaza City represents a serious obstacle to the implementation of the two-State solution, which is the only path towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. The Gaza strip must be an integral part of the State of Palestine, along with the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The recognition of both Palestine and Israel is the best security guarantee for both and will ensure stability for the whole region.
“We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire agreement and a permanent end to hostilities, for the immediate release of all hostages at the hands of Hamas and for the rapid, unimpeded and large-scale entry of humanitarian aid. Hamas cannot have a role in the future governance or security arrangements in Gaza, and must be disarmed.”
Speaking today, the Tánaiste said:
“I strongly urge the Israeli Government to reconsider the decision to escalate its offensive in Gaza. Israel’s actions are confounding the international community. Any expansion of military operations can only deepen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, leading to further displacement of the civilian population. The exhausted people of Gaza continue to face the prospect of famine. The time for a ceasefire and hostage release deal is long overdue. I call again for Hamas to release all hostages immediately.
“I reiterate Ireland’s unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders, consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions, and in this regard stress the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.”
Full text of letter:
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain strongly condemn the recent announcement by the Government of Israel of the intensification of the occupation and the military offensive, including in Gaza City. This decision will only deepen the humanitarian crisis and further endanger the remaining hostages’ lives. This operation will lead to an unacceptable high toll of deaths and the forced displacement of nearly one million Palestinian civilians.
We firmly reject any demographic or territorial changes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Actions in this regard constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
The intensification of the military offensive and the occupation of Gaza City represents a serious obstacle to the implementation of the two-state solution, which is the only path towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. The Gaza strip must be an integral part of the State of Palestine, along with the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The recognition of Palestine and Israel is the best security guarantee for both, and will ensure stability for the whole region.
We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire agreement and a permanent end to hostilities, for the immediate release of all hostages at the hands of Hamas and for the rapid, unimpeded and large-scale entry of humanitarian aid. Hamas cannot have a role in the future governance or security arrangements in Gaza, and must be disarmed.
Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland
Simon Harris, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland.
Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of Luxembourg.
Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta.
Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway.
Paulo Rangel, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal.
Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia.
José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister for Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation of Spain.
