Sinn Féin Leadership condemns Israel's attack on Gaza
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA
and National Chairperson Mary Lou McDonald MEP have today, on behalf of the
party’s leadership and elected representatives in the Assembly, Oireachtas
and local authorities throughout the island, condemned Israel’s brutal
attack on Gaza which has killed at least 155 people and wounded hundreds
more.
Ms. McDonald said:
“Sinn
Féin is calling on Israel to immediately end its brutal attack on Gaza. We
are also calling on the international community to exert maximum pressure on
the Israeli government to end its hostilities. The scale of today’s Israeli
attack on Gaza is truly shocking, particularly in the context of the
brutality of the last few months food and fuel blockade imposed by Israel on
the people of the region.
“Israel’s
ferocious attack on Gaza will not contribute in any way to finding a
peaceful resolution to the conflict in the region. Imposing an unjustifiable
policy of mass collective punishment on the people of Gaza can not be
justified
“International pressure
must immediately be exerted. The EU must exercise its influence over the
actions of the Israeli government. There is currently in effect a trade
agreement between the EU and Israel that is dependent on Israel's respect
for human rights.
“Israel by its
actions today is once again in breach of this agreement. The EU must use
whatever influence it has to end this deplorable situation. This includes
suspending the preferential trade agreement if the Israeli government
continues in its aggression towards the people of Gaza "
"Sinn
Féin urges Israel to accept that progress toward a peaceful agreement can
only be made by ending its military hostilities against Gaza and by showing
a willingness to speak to all combatant groups." ENDS