saturday’s protest in Letterkenny
Sinn Féin TD for Donegal North East, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has again called on Israel to immediately end the brutal invasion of Gaza which has killed over 650 Palestinians – most of which have been civilians.
As the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, arrived in the region, Deputy Mac Lochlainn also backed the calls of the Palestinian President who said that the lifting of the illegal blockade of Gaza must be part of any peace process.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said: “Like the vast majority of people in Donegal and indeed across Ireland, I am completed outraged and appalled at Israel’s continued invasion and indiscriminate bombing of Gaza. These attacks have now killed 650 Palestinians, at least 80% of whom were innocent civilians and children.
“This is Israel’s 3rd major offensive on Gaza in 6 years, which it besieges by land, air and sea.
“Israel continues to refuse to accept international law as the basis for resolving its conflict with the Palestinians and it is seemingly killing civilians and committing war crimes with impunity.
“Israel should immediately end hostilities and enter meaningful and inclusive dialogue to create a lasting peace process which respects the sovereignty and independence of Palestine along the pre-1967 borders.
“I also agree with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, that the lifting of the illegal blockade on Gaza, which amounts to collective punishment, must be part of any peace process, in order to tackle the huge humanitarian crisis.
“In face of Israel’s continued human rights abuses and rejection of international law it is time for the Irish Government to take a proactive and principled stand in its bilateral and multilateral relations with Israel.
“Sinn Féin continues to call for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, for an arms embargo against Israel, and for the EU to suspend Israel from the Euro-Med preferential trade agreement.”
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