Taoiseach: Aid to Gaza could be linked to commitments for democratic change

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: 'When this phase of the conflict is over, we need a more active approach from the European Union, pushing for a two-state solution.'

Aid to Gaza could be linked to commitments for democratic change, the Taoiseach has said.

Speaking in the Dáil during Leaders' Questions on Wednesday, Leo Varadkar said that changes to rules regarding trade and aid could be looked at when the fighting in Gaza is over.

Mr Varadkar said that "for too long" aid and trade had come to both sides without either being pressed to "do what they need to do".

“When this phase of the conflict is over, we need a more active approach from the European Union, pushing for a two-state solution, saying to the Palestinians that we’re not going to continue to give you aid if you don’t respect democracy and human rights and crack down on terrorism,” Mr Varadkar said.

“And say to the Israelis, that we’re not willing to continue to trade with you in the way that we do if you’re not willing to be serious about a two-state solution and allowing the Palestinians have the right to have the State that they need and they deserve.” 

The Taoiseach came under pressure from Mary Lou McDonald and Holly Cairns to take action against Israel for its actions in Gaza.

Ms McDonald said that Ireland's failure to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court "is a cop-out and a dangerous one at that".

"It emboldens Israel in its violation of international law and in its trampling on the human rights of Palestinians. Condemnation is not enough. The message has to be that Ireland will act when international humanitarian law is shredded and when a civilian, refugee population is slaughtered en masse by one of the most ferocious military forces on earth. I urge the Taoiseach to act. What consequences will Israel face for the atrocities it commits before the eyes of the world?"

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In response, Mr Varadkar drew criticism from Sinn Féin when he said that the party aimed to allow Hamas "off the hook".

"To refer Israel to the International Criminal Court at this stage, when an investigation is already underway, would be akin to reporting an alleged crime to An Garda Síochána several years into an investigation. It would simply have no practical effect or practical value. The Deputy's proposal is also flawed because it is to refer Israel and not the situation on the ground to the International Criminal Court. That allows Hamas and Islamic Jihad off the hook. Perhaps that is the Deputy's intention."

Sinn Féin's Finance spokesman Pearse Doherty called this statement "unbelievable".