Mick Wallace demands answers from Taoiseach over Irish signature on letter of support for Israel

MEP for Ireland South Mick Wallace is demanding answers from the Taoiseach and Tánaiste over a letter signed on behalf of the Irish people, supposedly expressing support for Israel.

The letter, signed on behalf of all EU member states with embassies in Israel, echoes the polarising words of President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen that “Europe stands with Israel”, made during the course of her controversial visit to Israel following the horrifying Hamas attacks of October 7.

However, given the devastating scenes in Gaza since and the ever rising civilian death toll, Mr Wallace his horrified that Ireland is being associated with a letter containing sentiments of support for the Israeli state, while “making no mention whatsoever of genocidal violence meted out to the civilians of Gaza since then.”

“The Irish government never tires of telling us that they support Palestinians and international law,” he blasted. “Why, then, is Ireland a signatory on this letter, which flagrantly ignores the endless, horrifying breaches of international law by Israel; which tacitly endorses those breaches, and which pledges Irish support for Israel’s genocidal violence since October 7 by quoting Ursula von der Leyen’s claim that ‘Europe stands with Israel’ no matter what?

“Do the Taoiseach and Tánaiste stand over this letter? We need answers, and we need them now, and I will be writing to both today to demand them.”

Wallace’s Independents4Change colleague and MEP for Dublin Clare Daly stated it was “beyond belief” that Ireland was a signatory of the letter, which she says is “sickeningly silent on the genocidal slaughter of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians by Israel”.

“It is scandalous and disgraceful that the Irish people have been associated with a letter that states that we ‘stand with Israel’,” she said.

“The people of Ireland do not stand with Israel. They have made their shock, horror and outrage at Israel’s actions very clear over the past seven months.”

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