President Higgins condemns ‘propaganda campaign’ against UN over Gaza

President Michael D Higgins said other EU states must now, as Ireland has, call for an immediate ceasefire of hostilities.

Countries that have halted funding of a key UN relief agency for Palestinians must "take account of children dying from malnutrition", President Michael D Higgins has said.

As aid to Gaza continues to be blocked, President Higgins said countries must now do as much as possible to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.

“As the world watches Gaza descend yet deeper towards famine and ever greater loss of life, it is vital that every country in the world now does all in its power to ensure that a humanitarian disaster in its most extreme sense is avoided,” Mr Higgins said.

The situation we are now witnessing in Gaza is one from which the global public must not be distracted or avert its gaze. It is a matter of life and death.

Mr Higgins called on countries to resume funding the key UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (Unrwa). The President said, without mentioning Israel, that the ongoing blockade of aid wass “scandalous” and those who are responsible must “take responsibility for the deaths that are ensuing”.

“Those countries, and they include some of the strongest economies in the world, who have removed over $450m from the Unrwa budget must take account of what is now being shown on the television screens of the world for all to see — infant children dying from lack of oxygen, many more dying from malnutrition and all of this set to escalate,” he added.

That this aid could be delivered immediately but is being prevented by both state actions and illegal blockages breaches every humanitarian principle. 

"Indeed, some of the worst scenes of starvation are being seen in those parts of northern and central Gaza where Israel has declared its military campaign complete.” 

The President’s comments follow criticism from Tánaiste Micheál Martin over the weekend, who called on Israel to end its blockades of Gaza and allow food into the Palestinian enclave.

“For God’s sake, allow the trucks in,” Mr Martin said.

Last month, it was confirmed Ireland would be providing a further €20m in funding to Unrwa, following the decision by multiple countries — including Britain and the US — to completely end funding.

President said the ongoing blockade of aid is 'scandalous' and those who are responsible must 'take responsibility for the deaths that are ensuing

Mr Higgins references recent comments by Unrwa’s head, Philippe Lazzarini, that there has been a campaign against the relief agency.

“It is a campaign which could have the effect of undermining the role of the UN in the present circumstances and in relation to the future of Gaza. His plea for help deserves the support of all who believe in the UN,” Mr Higgins said.

“The releasing of a propaganda campaign against the UN is a scandalous travesty against the little less than heroic efforts of all those involved on the frontline in Gaza — medical staff, those working to supply nutrition and aid in the most trying of circumstances, and those other dedicated professionals in Unrwa who have lost more than 160 of their colleagues.” 

He said other EU states must now, as Ireland has, call for an immediate ceasefire of hostilities.

The President added, that, following a ceasefire being agreed between Israel and Hamas, there must be work done to ensure a “long-term peace”.

The statement itself arrived as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar arrived in the US, where he is set to meet with senior American politicians — including President Joe Biden — and is due to raise the ongoing conflict in Gaza.