Ireland to push for sanctions against Israel at EU meeting

Micheál Martin said 'what the people of Gaza are going through is horrifying'.

Tánaiste Martin is to push for sanctions against Israel at a meeting of foreign ministers on Monday.

The imposition of economic and travel sanctions against those involved in violent and illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank will be discussed at the meeting in Brussels.

As many as 700,000 Israeli settlers are living illegally in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as settler violence surges.

Last week a school, part funded by Irish Aid was demolished, amid a wave of forced displacements since the October 7 Hamas attacks.

However, sources have stressed that no clear view on sanctions had emerged ahead of today's meeting given the differing opinions on Israel among European member states.

"We would be of the mind that there have to be sanctions because these settlements undermine the two-state solution," a spokesperson for the Tánaiste last night said.

But the spokesperson added that the Government is "mindful" that this country cannot become a "lone voice" on the issue of illegal settlers and Israel's bombardment of Gaza.

During the discussion on Gaza, the Tánaiste will reiterate the urgent need to intensify calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. 

The Tánaiste will also underline the need for EU language to evolve on the basis of developments on the ground.

Speaking ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council, Mr Martin said: “It is of vital importance that the EU calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

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"What the people of Gaza are going through is horrifying. 

"There is no justification for the continuing bombardment and the killing of innocent men, women, and children. 

"The UN Secretary General’s invocation of Article 99 should be a call to action for the international community.

He added: "The situation we are seeing on the ground demands our reaction and we should respond to what we are seeing also in the West Bank, and progress EU sanctions against violent settlers.” 

Smoke rises following clashes during an Israeli military raid in the West Bank city of Nablus. Picture: Majdi Mohammed/AP

Any agreement around sanctions will then be brought to the EU Council when Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and European leaders meet later in the week.

The council’s discussions will also focus on the EU’s support for Ukraine. 

The discussion on Ukraine will consider EU options for further support, including financial and security assistance, as well as further sanctions against Russia and Ukraine’s EU membership perspective.

Mr Martin said: "I will stress the importance that Ireland attaches to the EU reaffirming its support to Ukraine this week and will call on our fellow EU member states to demonstrate continued unity and resolute commitment in the face of Russian aggression, when considering the key decisions in front of us, both in relation to Ukraine’s accession path and financial support.

"Ireland’s position remains that EU membership is the ultimate security guarantee that can be provided to Ukraine and it has made tremendous progress under extremely difficult circumstances."