Carthy backs South Africa's move as hearing into Israel's actions in Gaza opens

As the hearing begins at the International Court of Justice into the case South Africa brought against Israel for its sustained attack on Gaza, a local Sinn Féin TD called on the Irish government to join the proceedings.

Deputy Matt Carthy called on the government to change position and support the South African case under the Genocide convention.

Israel has categorically denied any wrong doing in their actions, which they say is targeting Hamas and have condemned South Africa in taking the case.

Speaking today as the hearing began in The Hague, the Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs said: “This hearing is a historic event that should be a watershed moment in holding Israel to account for its war crimes against the people of Palestine.

“I welcome that South Africa made the decision to take this case to the International Court of Justice under the Genocide Convention. As a signatory to the Convention the Irish government is also legally obliged to take action to prevent genocide and, in Sinn Féin’s view, they should reverse position.

“Ireland made a written submission to the ICJ in respect of the war in Ukraine. Sinn Féin supported that position.

“It smacks of the double-standards that have been evident since the war in Gaza began that governments, including Ireland, that supported the case taken against Russia now refuse to do so in the case of Israel.

“Russia must be held to account for its brutality. So too must Israel.

“Israeli aggression in Gaza has resulted in the killing of 22,835 civilians, including almost 10,000 children, from a population of just 2.27 million in only three months. Israel must be accountable. Ireland must show leadership on the international stage.

“There must be a ceasefire, there must be sanctions, and Israel must be held to account.

“The Irish people have been horrified by the actions of Israel in Gaza and the failure of the international community to demand they stop. They have welcomed the strong words of the Irish government. They now want to see these words being matched by actions.

“The people of Ireland will be closely watching the hearing now underway at The Hague. They will rightly be demanding that the Irish government shows leadership on the international stage in standing up for the people of Palestine against these outrageous war crimes.”