Irish Premier Condemns Israeli Strikes on Gaza as 'Collective Punishment'

Micheal Martin calls for an end to hostilities during EU summit discussions amidst casualty reports.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin has issued a strong condemnation of the recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, characterizing the military actions as a form of 'collective punishment' against the Palestinian population.

Speaking from Brussels during an EU summit, Martin highlighted the devastating impact of the bombings, which he described as 'deploring and shocking,' resulting in numerous civilian casualties, including men, women, and children.

Following strikes that struck multiple residential homes, Martin discussed the severity of the situation, stating that the statements from Israeli officials, particularly Defence Minister Yoav Katz, suggested that the actions amounted to collective punishment towards Palestinians in Gaza.

He called for an immediate cessation of the bombings, emphasizing that the European Union and other global powers must strongly advocate for an end to the violence.

The Prime Minister expressed concern over the lack of warning before the airstrikes, which caught many civilians returning to their homes after a previous ceasefire, leaving them exposed to what he termed 'indiscriminate bombing'.

He emphasized the need for the release of hostages and a renewed commitment to the ceasefire agreement initially established.

In addition to addressing the immediate humanitarian crisis, Martin updated reporters on the status of the Occupied Territories Bill.

This legislation, first proposed in 2018, aims to prohibit trade with all territories classified as illegally occupied—including Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.

The Irish government reaffirmed its commitment to advancing this Bill following an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice last July.

This opinion recommended that countries should take steps to prevent trade and investments that support illegal settlements.

Although the government is moving forward with the Bill, Martin noted that it is unlikely to influence the immediate decisions of the Israeli government regarding Gaza.

He indicated that amendments are currently being worked on within the Department of Foreign Affairs, but suggested that the Bill would not be finalized before the current legislative session concludes, with hopes for continued progress in the next session.