Taoiseach defends Jim Gavin’s comments on Gaza

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

The Taoiseach has defended Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin’s comments about Israel’s “military objectives” in Gaza.

Micheál Martin, the leader of Fianna Fáil, said there had been attempts to sow division over the issue of Israel’s war in the region.

In a recent interview with Virgin Media News, Mr Gavin said: “It’s unconscionable that the bombing is still taking place when I believe that the military objectives have probably been reached for that military campaign.”

Jim Gavin is very clear in that interview, absolutely said it was unconscionable what is happening - as we all believe. Why is Sinn Fein always trying to create division on this question, trying to be more virtuous than the other person, trying to sort of say 'well, that person is for Israel' when they clearly are not?

Sinn Féin has called for the candidate to withdraw his remark, with senior party figure Pearse Doherty calling it a “disgraceful way to talk about the brutal slaughter of tens of thousands of men, women and children”.

In a social media post, Mr Doherty added: “It is a genocide, Jim.”

Mr Martin defended Mr Gavin’s comments on Thursday and attacked Sinn Féin for what he described as “an appalling distortion” of the comments.

Speaking to reporters, the Taoiseach said: “Jim Gavin is very clear in that interview, absolutely said it was unconscionable what is happening, as we all believe.

“Why is Sinn Féin always trying to create division on this question, trying to be more virtuous than the other person, trying to sort of say ‘well, that person is for Israel’ when they clearly are not?”

He added: “Everyone knows – the IDF themselves think and this is the point – that there’s no absolutely no justification but Prime Minister Netanyahu is continuing.

“But this is a distortion by Sinn Féin, and it’s nasty, and it should stop.”

Mr Martin said Sinn Féin was trying to undermine Mr Gavin, whose life had been “dedicated to peacekeeping” during his time in the Defence Forces.

“One would imagine the Irish Government is supporting Israel the way Sinn Féin goes on – and language around complicity in genocide and of that is just bad politics.”

Pressed on whether he would use the same language on military campaigns and objectives as Mr Gavin, Mr Martin said the remark was made in the context of reporting that “even the IDF” had acknowledged its “military objectives were well gone”.

He added: “It’s not that we endorse it. What’s going on at the moment, as Jim Gavin said, is unconscionable.”

Elsewhere in the race, Heather Humphreys said she had “no role” in whipping Fine Gael councillors to block independent candidates seeking a nomination through local authorities.

To be eligible to run for the election on October 24th, a candidate must be nominated either by 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities.

Several independents have expressed an interest in securing a nomination through the local authority process – but this will be difficult without the support of Government councillors.

Fine Gael has directed its councillors not to facilitate the nomination of anyone other than its candidate – Ms Humphreys.

Asked on Thursday if she supported that order, Ms Humphreys said: “That’s the party’s national executive that decided that, and that’s the stance on candidates seeking council support.

“I had no role in that, and my focus is on my campaign and my pitch to voters around the country.”

She added: “I’m a former councillor myself, and I have to say I’m very encouraged by the support I’m getting from the Fine Gael councillors and indeed, councillors from across different parties and independent councillors.”

Speaking to Ocean FM, Ms Humphreys said: “There’s a process here to get on on the ballot paper for the presidential election and, look, it’s up to people to go ahead and talk to people and see can they get on it.

“I have no problem with that at all. But look the Fine Gael national executive made that decision – I had no role in it.”