Aengus à Snodaigh, International Affairs and Human Rights spokesperson of Sinn Féin and MP, has described Apartheid Israel as âone of the most abhorrent and despicable regimes on the planetâ. Coming at a time of increased attacks by Occupation Forces upon Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, Snodaigh called upon links between Israel and Northern Ireland to be severed.
Questioning the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern in the parliament (Dáil) he highlighted the kidnapping of Palestinians by the Israeli regime as revealing âthe true nature of Israel’s commitment to not so democratic principlesâ. He went on to question links Northern Ireland may have with the racist Occupation stating:
“Minister Ahern must clarify whether the Department of Foreign Affairs approves of the use of Shannon (airport) for the transfer of helicopters or any military apparatus to Israel. He must also indicate if he agrees that the role played by this state in the sale and transfer of arms and military apparatus to human rights abusers is absolutely unacceptable and must cease immediately and what steps he will take to ensure this ceases.”
Labour Party president Michael D Higgins and Foreign affairs spokesman of his party has expressed similar calls for action on European officials. âThe European Union is behaving with appalling bad faith. It called for elections in the Palestinian territories, it acknowledged that they were fair, and it punishes the Palestinian people for the result. The deafening silence of the Spokespersons of the Union and its member States, their failure to defend international law, is appalling.â
Snodaigh and Higgins made their comments as the Occupation steps up its attacks upon the Palestinian people and their lands. The Israeli regime has killed on average 12 Palestinians a week for the last month, as well as bombing infrastructure and kidnapping prominent individuals in the struggle.