Foreign affairs ministers from 24 nations join Simon Harris in calling for end to war in Gaza
Simon Harris issued a statement along with his fellow ministers, which said "the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths".
The ministers said the Israeli government's aid delivery model is "dangerous, fuels instability, and deprives Gazans of human dignity".
"We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food. It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid.
The Israeli government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.
The statement goes on to condemn the "continued detention" of hostages taken at the beginning of the war in October 2023 and calls for "their immediate and unconditional release".
It adds negotiated ceasefire "offers the best hope of bringing them home and ending the agony of their families".
"We call on the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and to urgently enable the UN and humanitarian NGOs to do their life-saving work safely and effectively.
We call on all parties to protect civilians and uphold the obligations of international humanitarian law. Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a 'humanitarian city' are completely unacceptable.
"Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law."
The ministers said they would not support any forced displacement or changes to Palestinian borders and hit out at a settlement plan proposed by Israel.
"We strongly oppose any steps towards territorial or demographic change in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The E1 settlement plan announced by Israel's Civil Administration, if implemented, would divide a Palestinian state in two, marking a flagrant breach of international law, and critically undermine the two-state solution.
Meanwhile, settlement building across the West Bank including East Jerusalem has accelerated, while settler violence against Palestinians has soared. This must stop.
"We urge the parties and the international community to unite in a common effort to bring this terrible conflict to an end, through an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. Further bloodshed serves no purpose. We reaffirm our complete support to the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to achieve this.
"We are prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region."
Ministers from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK issued the joint statement.
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Pope Leo renews call for immediate Gaza ceasefire
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The Journal
3 hours ago
- The Journal
'It is a despicable disgrace': Bob Geldof condemns Israeli government over starvation in Gaza
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Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
TP O'Mahony: Pope Leo's words on Gaza have gone unheeded in the Knesset and the White House
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The Belfast rap trio Kneecap - who have drawn a lot of criticism, especially in the British media - have been unflinching in their support for the Palestinian people. JJ O Dochartaigh, one of the group, said in a pre-Glastonbury interview: Everyone knows what's happening is wrong. You can't even try to deny it now - Israel's government is just acting with impunity and getting away with it. Gaza's health ministry says that over 58,000 people (mostly civilians) have died in Israeli attacks since the war began. And that number grows daily. Studies at Yale and other universities suggest the official tolls are being underestimated. Meanwhile, the two-state solution - backed by Ireland and other countries - is looking more and more remote. The political situation is not helped by the fact that the Trump White House does not see an independent Palestinian state as a goal. Matters are also not helped by the fact that the EU is divided on support for a Palestinian state, or how to respond to the systematic destruction of Palestinian life in Gaza, beyond mere words. Kaja Kallas, the foreign policy chief of the EU - Israel's biggest trading partner - has said that 'all options are on the table'. But so far there is no agreement on a plan of action. Ireland has played its part, at least in terms of recognition, much to the chagrin of the Israelis. On May 22, 2024, it was officially announced by the then Taoiseach Simon Harris that 'Ireland will recognise the State of Palestine, effective 28 May'. Ireland made the announcement on the same day as Spain and Norway. 'Ireland today recognises Palestine as a nation among nations with all the rights and responsibilities that entails,' said the Taoiseach. Ireland has for many decades recognised the State of Israel and its right to exist in pace and security. 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But without it, at least in the Middle East, the dialogue that could prepare the way for a solution in which two states, Israel and Palestine, can co-exist side-by-side with equal dignity, respect and security, cannot even begin. Read More Israeli official says Gaza ceasefire proposal from Hamas is 'workable'
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
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