Taoiseach says there is growing anger across Europe at treatment of the Sunnis flotilla citizens, including President's sister

The Taoiseach said anger is growing across Europe regarding Israel’s behaviour, including the treatment of the Sumud flotilla citizens and the conduct of an Israeli government minister. He said the flotilla was abducted in international waters, that treatment in captivity was unacceptable, and that the incident shocked the world. He also cited failures to deliver significant humanitarian aid into Gaza under phase one of the peace agreement, continuing violent elimination and displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank, and displacement linked to events in Lebanon involving uniformed troops. He said Europe must stand up for moral values, the rule of law, and the rights of all. He reported that Antonio Costa agreed to place the EU-Israel Association Agreement on trade on the agenda for the next EU summit. He said an occupied Territories Bill would be introduced before the summer recess but would not include a prohibition on services due to legal difficulties raised by the Attorney General.

"“There's growing anger across the European Union in respect to the behaviour of Israel.,“ he said, adding that “the mood has changed.” Europe has realised it has to stand up now for its moral values, the rule of law and the rights of all, the Taoiseach said after a meeting in the Elysee Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron."

"“The most recent egregious, appalling and disgusting behaviour has been the treatment of those in the Sumud flotilla. First of all, they were abducted in international warfare, the way they had been treated in captivity is unacceptable, and then the behaviour of a Government minister from Israel has been absolutely shocking, and has shocked the world,” Mr Martin said."

"“Added to that was the failure to fulfill phase one of the peace agreement in Gaza terms of getting really significant volumes of humanitarian aid into the strip, ‘and then the continuing violent elimination and displacement of Palestinians from the.ir homeland on the West Bank’. ‘And then you add in what's happening in Lebanon in terms of displacement and the reckless behaviour of uniformed troops. All of that really, I think, has angered European countries, so I think that the mood is changing."

"He revealed that Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, has agreed to his request that the Eu-Isreal Association Agreement on trade be now made an agenda item at the next EU summit. Micheál Martin also echoed Foreign Minister Helen McEntee's Dáil pledge today that the occupied Territories Bill would be introduced before the summer recess, but revealed it would not include a prohibition on services as well as goods imports because of legal difficulties flagged by the Attorney General."

Read at Irish Independent