'Appalling failure of diplomacy': President Higgins denounces Israeli ban on UN aid agency

FILE - Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on a school run by UNRWA, the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, May 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana, File)

There has been unified condemnation across the Irish political spectrum in the wake of Israel's bill banning all Unrwa activity in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

President Michael D Higgins has called on all EU member states, and those in the United Nations, to make their support for the UN agency clear.

"Silence from those who have had the best of aspirations for the EU and its future during a grave humanitarian catastrophe would be more than disappointing, it damages the Union," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Given the circumstances of people starving to death, the placing under attack of the United Nations agency that is responsible for keeping them alive constitutes an appalling failure of diplomacy and the use of starvation as a weapon of war."

The President highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has left many on the brink of starvation saying the world sees repeating images of young people holding out empty containers as they seek food.

"This time it will be different in that not only are their vessels empty, but the United Nations agency that has stayed with them through conditions of siege and war is being threatened with closure," President Higgins said.

President Michael D Higgins has called on all EU member states, and those in the United Nations, to make their support for the UN agency clear. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Ireland has been consistent in demanding a release of the hostages since the events of October 7, he said, adding that significant prisoner releases should also take place.

"We need not only ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, but the violence must end and the diplomatic work that is needed to bring this to reality commenced," he concluded.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said the bill, which would deprive 650,000 children of an education according to Unrwa, is an attack on the UN system.

"We are talking here about the essentials of life for men, women and children in the occupied territories of Palestine. We are talking about education services, we are talking about healthcare services," Mr Martin said.

"It is quite extraordinary and beyond comprehension that this move is being taken."

Taoiseach Simon Harris called on the EU to 'find the moral courage' to act in relation to this latest move by Israel saying it should review trade relations at an EU level. Picture: Chani Anderson

Taoiseach Simon Harris called on the EU to "find the moral courage" to act in relation to this latest move by Israel saying it should review trade relations at an EU level. Mr Harris said it is uncertain whether the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) will pass before the general election.

Sinn Féin's spokesperson on foreign affairs, Matt Carthy, said that the Dáil should immediately be recalled in order to advance the OTB and enact sanctions against Israel.

He said that the Israeli government will continue to commit war crimes until the international community ceases to fund and allow it.

The bill banning Unrwa's work "is a vile action on the part of a state that has gone beyond rogue".

"Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people and waging war against the United Nations," Mr Carthy said.

"It has in the past year murdered over 200 United Nations employees and slandered UNRWA without providing a single shred of proof."

The Social Democrats also urged the government to enact the OTB as a matter of urgency stating that there is "no legal impediment" to them doing so.