Ireland at odds with EU commissioner's statement on Palestine aid
EU commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said that all payments to Palestine would be immediately suspended, but the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said that there is 'no legal basis for a unilateral decision of this kind by an individual commissioner'. Picture: Franc Zhurda/AP
The Irish Government has come out strongly against a suggestion that the European Commission would end development funding to Palestine, following comments made by Hungarian Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Varhelyi said that the EU would put €691m in development funding “under review” and that all payments to Palestine would be immediately suspended.
In response, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said that Ireland did not support any withholding of aid and that there is “no legal basis” for a unilateral decision by a single commissioner.
“Our understanding is that there is no legal basis for a unilateral decision of this kind by an individual commissioner and we do not support a suspension of aid. We are formally requesting the Commission to clarify the legal basis for this announcement,” said the spokesperson.
A separate commissioner, Janez Lenarcic, who is responsible for crisis management, said that EU aid would continue “as long as needed”.
It comes as Tánaiste Micheál Martin condemned the attack by Hamas on Israel, saying that the “deliberate and systematic” attacks on civilians is never justified.
In a statement this evening, Mr Martin said that he had been “horrified” at the attacks seen in recent days.
“The taking of hostages, including young children and the elderly is unconscionable,” said Mr Martin. "They must be released immediately."
Mr Martin said that he spoke with the Palestinian foreign minister, Riad Malki, and with the deputy prime minister of Jordan, Ayman Safadi. The Tánaiste added that he wrote to Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen yesterday to express “deep condolences”.
With the crisis deepening, Mr Martin said that he will attend an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers tomorrow.
“These inhumane and senseless attacks have unleashed new horror upon innocent people in Israel and Gaza," he said.
"We now have a moral and political obligation to chart a way towards a future in which these events cannot be repeated.
“This requires us to put the protection of civilians at the heart of our objectives and to strive towards an international effort that can deliver a just and sustainable peace.”
The Tánaiste visited Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank last month, with Mr Martin meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas.
“It is scarcely imaginable how the lives of so many people that I met during that visit will be irrevocably scarred by this violence,” said Mr Martin.
In an update, the Defence Forces said that all Irish troops serving on UN missions abroad, including those in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, are currently safe.
However, earlier on Monday, Irish troops stationed in Lebanon as part of UNIFIL sheltered in place at approximately 1.25pm, following exchanges of fire over the Blue Line. While they remain in 'Groundhog' position, all Irish and Maltese soldiers are accounted for, with fire now dissipating.
In total, there are 342 Defence Forces personnel serving in Lebanon as part of UNIFIL.
President Michael D Higgins described the attack by Hamas “deeply reprehensible” and called for the “immediate end” to the violence.
“Any attacks on innocent civilians, such as those horrific scenes witnessed at the Supernova music festival and elsewhere, are deeply reprehensible,” said President Higgins.
"Further attacks, and reprisals of the same degree, will lead to further loss of innocent life."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
