European Union ‘needs to do more’ in terms of Israel – Taoiseach

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

The Taoiseach has said the European Union needs to “do more” in terms of Israel.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland has taken a strong stance in respect of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including recognising the state of Palestine.

Two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have also been banned from travelling to Ireland.

There is also a motion to be debated in the Dáil which proposes a boycott of a football match against Israel.

“We’ve recognised their state (Palestine), and I believe the European Union needs to do more and the United States needs to keep the pressure on Israel as well,” he told media in Cork on Saturday evening.

“I don’t think we should always reduce the issue to just one particular game, or a particular event. Football has been on the up in more recent times. I would hate to see the team lose out in terms of future qualification prospects. Fifa has responsibilities here as well.”

Asked about two Israeli ministers who have been banned from travelling into Ireland, Mr Martin said he had not had any contact from Israel’s government over the matter.

“We haven’t, no direct contact, but we will be continuing to raise this at European Council level,” he said.

“I did write to Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, in respect of what’s happening in the Middle East, particularly in terms of Gaza and the West Bank, and shockingly also in Lebanon… their (Lebanon’s) sovereignty is now being violated to an unsettling degree, well over a million people displaced in Lebanon.

“It seems to be that the objective of the Israeli government, unless they can show otherwise, is to keep the people of Gaza in permanent subjugation in the most miserable of circumstances, with no shelter, with no adequate supplies of food or medicine. That’s not acceptable in the modern era.”