Govt failing Palestine: Norris

The Government was today accused of failing to champion the basic human rights of the Palestinian people.

During a joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs Independent Senator David Norris said Ireland was not doing enough to denounce the injustices perpetrated against the Palestinians by Israel.

He was commenting after representatives from Trocaire, Christian Aid and the state’s Irish Aid programme outlined moves being taken to help those in the Israeli-occupied territories.

“The attitude of the EU is absolutely shameful,” he said.

“Our own government has singularly failed to vindicate the rights of the Palestinian people at the most basic level,” he said.

The plight of the Palestinians has made headlines around the world in the last fortnight after the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip was breached on January 23.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been pouring into the north African country hoping to stock up on goods in short supply because of an Israeli-led blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory.

An Islamist militant group, Hamas is shunned by much of the West due to its refusal to recognise Israel and its attacks against it.

Brendan McMahon of Irish Aid told the committee that funding for Palestine had been increased by 70% in the last two years, from €4.39m in 2005 to €7.5m in 2007.

But Trocaire Director Justin Kilcullen said more needs to be done by EU member states to help the Palestinian people.

“There have been statements made by the EU and our own government, but this needs to be backed up with action. It is not just enough to denounce,” he said.

His comments were echoed by Margaret Boden of Christian Aid, who urged the EU to play a more active role in the Middle East peace process.