Minister needs to ask questions about Gaza reconstruction

The Irish government has joined with other states in pledging money for the reconstruction of Gaza, however, when Ireland had the opportunity to take a stand for justice for the people of Gaza being relentlessly bombed during Israel’s 52 day assault this summer, Minister Flanagan instead chose to abstain on a United Nations vote calling for an investigation into Israel’s war crimes. 

The Minister sent out a clear message, Palestinian lives do not matter to this government.

The reconstruction plan begs many questions: will Israeli companies benefit financially from it? Will building materials be allowed into Gaza under the current siege? How long will such a process take and, of course, why is Israel not paying for the devastation it wrought? While there is continued impunity for Israel’s war crimes against the Palestinian people, there can be neither justice, nor a guarantee that such a violent military assault on a captive people will not be repeated.