Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, recently condemned Europe’s handling of the Israel-Palestine situation, describing it as thoroughly disgraceful. He expressed his disappointment at the scanty support and advocacy for the Palestinians, either from individual nations or MEPs, suggesting that the vastness of the political spectrum seems to overlook Palestine’s plight.
The tragic events unfolding in Gaza, particularly since the Hamas assault on October 7th, call for immediate measures that should arguably have been initiated years ago, Kelleher pointed out. He stressed the urgent need to recognise Palestine as a sovereign entity and implement a two-state resolution in reference to the Oslo Accord.
In 2018, Mr Kelleher, acting as an MEP for Ireland South, visited the West Bank and confirmed Fianna Fáil’s backing for the Occupied Territories Bill. Dublin MEP, Barry Andrews, further reported that they had each endorsed a letter last year seeking the reassessment of the Israeli association agreements. This treaty, he described, particularly favours Israel with privileged access to the European market.
The MEPs’ support for Unrwa and the Palestinians, particularly during the withdrawal of funds due to alleged association of Unrwa staff with Hamas, led to isolation for Ireland. Nonetheless, they believe it led to a broader acknowledgement that the current situation in Gaza is untenable. The urgent requirement for a ceasefire, which was a topic of contention back in October, has now become an overall consensus, the MEPs concluded.
Ireland’s solidarity with Gaza is anticipated to persist with planned protests at the American and German embassies in Dublin, plus various additional demonstrations in other towns including Cork and Belfast.
On a Friday night, the Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris, declared that Palestine’s formal acknowledgement, declared the previous week by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin, was progressing steadily. Speaking in tandem with Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s prime minister, Harris stated: “As we advance, we wish to do so with the maximum number of others.” Sánchez stated that Ireland, Spain and other countries would back Palestine’s recognition as a nation and full UN membership. He claimed this action was driven by two resolute aims. First was to extend a message of hope to the suffering multitudes of Gaza and Palestine. Second, to demonstrate to the world that there are nations within Europe prepared to stand up for the international order under all circumstances.