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.

As the people of Gaza face into winter, with many thousands of them still displaced, trying to deal with the incredible trauma of so much death and injury, the conditions of the illegal siege remain, accompanied by frequent Israeli breaches of the ceasefire. This situation is an affront to humanity and cannot be allowed to continue.

Gaza Action Ireland fully supports the  Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) call for sanctions against Israel, we need to take meaningful action for the people of Palestine, living through their 66th year of occupation.

Zoe Lawlor

Co-ordinator

Gaza Action Ireland

Dooradoyle Park

Dooradoyle

Limerick