Boycott call as Ireland pays Israel €3m for military goods

Ireland should boycott Israeli military goods after buying almost €3m worth during the past three years, Sinn Féin has demanded.

The party’s Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has written to Defence Minister Simon Coveney calling for a ban on sourcing such equipment from Israel in light of the conflict in Gaza.

“I have asked Minister Coveney to make a firm commitment that, under his direction, the Department of Defence will no longer buy military equipment from Israel.

“Former minister Alan Shatter, in response to a parliamentary question submitted by myself in May of this year, stated that the value of military equipment acquired or being acquired from Israeli companies since March 2011 is in the region of €2.9m,” he said.

“A Sunday Tribune article from January 2010 reports that between 2004 and 2009 the Department of Defence spent almost €14m on military equipment made by Israeli manufacturers.

“The importation of military equipment from Israel sends a clear message of approval for Israel’s military aggression, including its war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.

“Ireland should not be buying any military equipment, or trading with, a country that is massacring civilians and enforcing an illegal and brutal occupation on millions of Palestinians.”

The Defence Department was not available for comment.

Meanwhile, President Michael D Higgins spoke yesterday of his own heartbreak over the situation in Gaza. “One’s heart is broken again and again,” said the President, who has visited Gaza four times. He said resolution could only come through the creation of a viable Palestinian state connected to the West Bank.