Killing of Sligo based doctor's brother-in-law and family in Gaza condemned at council meeting
At the County Council's monthly meeting last Friday, Cllr Bree proposed the Council extend its deepest sympathy to Sligo based Dr Alaa Al-Najjar, and to the extended al Najjar family in Gaza and here in Sligo on the tragic death of her husband Dr Hamdi and nine of their 10 children.
'The deliberate Israeli missile strike on their home can only be described as one of the most heartbreaking tragedies to befall a paediatrician who dedicated her life to saving children, only to have her own motherhood stolen from her in a moment of fire, death and destruction,' he said.
Cllr Bree further proposed that the Council also extend its sympathy to Dr Ali Al Najjar, who has looked after so many local people in Sligo University Hospital, on the deaths of his beloved nephews, nieces and brother in law
Cllr Bree added that the agony and heartbreak that Dr Alaa and her extended family feel today could only be imagined>
The UN's special rapporteur for the Palestinian territory described the attack as a 'new phase of genocide' facing Palestinians in the besieged enclave, he said.
'While offering our sympathy and solidarity we hope and pray that Dr al-Najjar's sole surviving child, 11-year-old Adam, who was severely injured, will receive the necessary medical treatment and survive. I would ask members, as a mark of respect to observe a minute's silence,' said Cllr Bree.
Meanwhile, speaking on a separate motion tabled by Cllrs Arthur Gibbons, Gino O'Boyle, Thomas Healy and himself, Cllr Bree said they must recognise that 'what is happening in Palestine and Gaza today is not a war; it is a campaign of starvation, destruction and ethnic cleansing. Palestinian men, women and children are being exterminated as the world looks on.'
He added that the Irish Central Bank is facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds, raising €4.5 billion for Israel's campaign of genocide against the Palestinian people.
Following criticism the Central Bank recently wrote to the Dáil Finance Committee and said, for it to stop facilitating the sale of the bonds, it needed either the EU or the Dáil to intervene.
'It is just over a year ago since the Government recognised the State of Palestine, sending a message to the world that Ireland stands with the people of Palestine and Gaza.
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'However in the intervening period the Irish Central Bank has been facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds.
'Section 5A of the Central Bank Reform Act states: "The Bank is required to perform its functions and exercise its powers in a manner consistent with the Rome Treaty and the ESCB Statute."
'Article 3.5 of that Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union says: In its relations with the wider world, the Union shall uphold and promote its values and interests and contribute to the protection of its citizens. It shall contribute to peace, security, the sustainable development of the Earth, solidarity and mutual respect among peoples, free and fair trade, eradication of poverty and the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of the child as well as to the strict observance and the development of international law, including respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter.
'In January of 2024 the International Court of Justice found that the Palestinian people in Gaza had "plausible rights" to be protected from the imminent risk of genocide.
'This ruling triggered obligations under the Genocide Convention for countries, including Ireland, to take all possible action to prevent genocide.
'So therefore enacting legislation and regulations to allow the Minister for Finance to prohibit or impose restrictive measures on the sale or purchase of any security or class of security that is issued by or on behalf of the state of Israel, would be in compliance with the Rome Treaty.
"The International court of Justice opinion clearly stated not only that we should act but that we have a legal obligation to act and to do absolutely everything that we can. It demands that every state look at every possible lever to exert pressure on Israel.
A motion which was tabled jointly by Councillors Gino O'Boyle, Arthur Gibbons, Thomas Healy and Cllr Bree called on the Government to introduce the necessary legislation and regulations, to allow the Minister for Finance to prohibit or impose restrictive measures on the sale or purchase of any security or class of securities that is issued by or on behalf of the State of Israel.
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