Ireland joins countries calling for immediate Gaza ceasefire & two-state solution amid ‘urgent humanitarian aid' calls
Junior Minister Emer Higgins represented
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Junior Minister Emer Higgins represented Ireland at an international conference in New York
On the back of this meeting, 14 countries including Ireland agreed to send out a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of
This would see two democratic states in Israel and
The countries that came together to back the statement include: Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain.
Tanaiste
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The Foreign Affairs Minister said: 'The international community demands an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal and urgent humanitarian aid for Gaza, and is ready to take concrete steps to implement the two-State solution.
'Ireland is doubling down on our commitment to achieve a just, lasting peace where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace and security. We will continue to do all in our power to work for that peace.'
On October 7, 2023, the Hamas
Israel has since bombarded Gaza in a military campaign that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
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The Israeli Defence Forces have also blocked aid from getting into Gaza which has left people including children to starve to death.
The joint statement from the 14 countries agreed at the New York conference makes a series of calls including for a ceasefire, release of hostages and the implementation of a two-state solution.
DOUBLING DOWN
The Foreign Ministers also expressed grave concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for the United Nations and its aid agencies to be allowed in to help people.
The statement adds that the Ministers: 'Have already recognised, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognise the state of Palestine, as an essential step towards the two-state solution, and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call.
'Urge countries who have not done so yet to establish normal relations with Israel, and to express their willingness to enter into discussions on the regional integration of the state of Israel;
'Express our determination to work on an architecture for the 'day after' in Gaza which guarantees the reconstruction of Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from the Palestinian governance.'
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The war in Gaza has been ongoing for nearly two years
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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Tanaiste Simon Harris signed a letter on Ireland's behalf calling for a ceasefire and two-state solution
Credit: PA Media, All Rights Reserved
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