Micheál Martin backs calls for EU sanctions against two Israeli ministers
Israel's Security Minister Gvir Itamar Ben National
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has backed calls for EU sanctions to be levelled against two Israeli ministers, as he describes the ongoing levels of civilian deaths in Gaza as “inhumane”.
Speaking in Brussels, Mr Martin said that he agreed with Josep Borrell — the EU’s foreign affairs chief — that sanctions should be placed on Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
He said that he was also backing Mr Borrell’s call for sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank that are continuing to expand the illegal settlements.
Mr Borrell said on Thursday he has asked the bloc's members if they want to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers for "hate messages" against Palestinians that he said broke international law.
He did not name any of the Israeli ministers to whom he was referring or specify which messages he had in mind.
But in recent weeks he has publicly criticised Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich for statements he has described as "sinister" and "an incitement to war crimes".
The Tánaiste also said that he believes it is now time for the “slaughter to end” in Gaza.
“It’s very clear to us that this is essentially now a war against Palestinians not just against Hamas,” Mr Martin said, speaking at an EU meeting of foreign affairs ministers.
“The level of civilian casualties and death is unconscionable ... We now have polio within Gaza, it’s quite shocking and it needs to stop.
“We need an immediate release of all hostages and we need unimpeded access to humanitarian aid.”
Mr Martin referenced the International Court of Justice advisory opinion issued last month, which calls on states to examine their relationship with Israel given the ongoing “illegal occupation” of both the West Bank and Gaza.
“It cannot be business as usual and I say that in the context of the EU-Israel association agreement,” Mr Martin said.
“It’s very clear to us that international humanitarian law has been broken.”
The Tánaiste said there needs to be a “political pathway” towards peace in the region.
Asked why he continues to press for the EU-Israel association agreement to be looked at while other member states disagree, Mr Martin said that there is a “moral obligation” to do so.
“We have within our remit a moral obligation to raise these issues and to do everything we possibly can to end this war, because the level of death and destruction is quite shocking at this stage. There cannot be a military solution alone for this,” he said.
“The war as it has been conducted has levelled Gaza and all aspects of civilian infrastructure, from schools to hospitals to waste management treatment facilities, with dire consequences for the population.
“So it’s a war on the population. There’s no point in trying to fudge this. It’s very, very clear that the displacement on numerous occasions of the 2 million inhabitants of Gaza really is inhumane at this stage and cannot be condoned in any circumstances.”
Asked about reports of Israeli aircraft using Irish airspace to transport weapons between the US and Israel, Mr Martin said that Transport Minister Eamon Ryan is currently “examining the situation”.
“Exemptions have not been sought in respect of any flights but information has come into the public domain, that’s being followed up by the Department of Transport.”