Fianna Fáil defend Jim Gavin's reference to Israel's 'military objectives' after condemnation from SF deputy leader

Sinn Féin accused of running a negative campaign against Fianna Fáil's presidential election candidate 

Fianna Fáil presidential election candidate Jim Gavin was criticised by Pearse Doherty for his reference to the 'military objectives' of the Israeli war on Gaza. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

Fianna Fáil has defended its presidential candidate Jim Gavin amid criticism of his description of Israel’s “military objectives” in Gaza.

Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty had called for Mr Gavin to clarify comments he made in an interview earlier this week when asked about the Occupied Territories Bill.

Mr Gavin — a former member of the Defence Forces — referenced the “military objectives” of the Israeli war on Gaza.

“It’s unconscionable that the bombing is still taking place when I believe that the military objectives have probably been reached for that military campaign,” Mr Gavin said.

Mr Doherty, who has not ruled himself out of challenging Mr Gavin for the presidency, wrote on social media: “This is a disgraceful way to talk about the brutal slaughter of tens of thousands of men, women and children! The forced starvation of an entire population! The destruction of Gaza! It’s a genocide, Jim. Shameful comments that should be withdrawn immediately.”

In response, Fianna Fáil accused Sinn Féin of running a negative campaign.

A spokesperson said: “It is clear that Sinn Féin recognise what a strong candidate Jim Gavin is and is starting its negative campaign.

Jim Gavin was a senior officer in one of the largest civil protection missions of the 21st century. His first reaction is always to focus on saving lives and that’s what his short answer addressed.

“Deputy Doherty’s statement is an example of the type of politics which causes so many people to be cynical. Jim Gavin is unequivocal in his condemnation of the Israeli government’s genocidal actions. Hopefully this campaign will be spared this sort of fake outrage and cynical misrepresentation.”

Asked about the comments on Thursday in Lucan, Tánaiste Simon Harris said that he would not be “entering into a running commentary” on the presidential campaign, which has six weeks to run.

“Let me just say, at the outset of this presidential election campaign, what I’m not going to do for the next number of weeks is provide a running commentary on every comment made by every presidential candidate.

“But what I will say is this; the situation in Gaza is clear. The Irish Government, the people of Ireland, have never equivocated in relation to this. It is a genocide. It needs to end. And we’re seeing the slaughter of innocent civilians. We’re seeing the starving of children.

“We’re seeing a man-made famine in 2025 and the Government — all parties of the Government, all parties in the Government — we’ve been working together at every opportunity to voice that view.”

Last week, officials said Israel would stop airdrops over Gaza City in the coming days and reduce the number of aid trucks arriving in the north as the new offensive ramps up and preparations are made to order hundreds of thousands of people south.

The UN and partners have said the pauses, airdrops and other measures fell far short of the 600 trucks of aid needed daily in Gaza.

The Israeli offensive which followed the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks has killed more than 63,000, mostly civilians, and destroyed much of Gaza.