“Israel’s allies have blood on their hands”

“Israel’s order to evacuate around 100,000 people in preparation of a ground invasion of Rafah city is a horrifying development in the ongoing barbaric onslaught. Everyone today is asking themselves how one country can continue to be allowed to kill and starve with such impunity?

“The fear in Rafah is palpable, as people who have already been forced to flee across Gaza multiple times, must now move again.

“Over 1.3 million people – mostly women and children – already suffering unimaginable horrors of starvation, displacement, disease, and deprivation, are now caged in the last remaining corner of the besieged enclave, with no operational hospital and nowhere else to go. Safely and legally evacuating them in such a short time is impossible.

“I am deeply worried for the civilians trapped in Rafah, including our Oxfam colleagues. Oxfam still has 22 staff in Gaza, with 5 of them in Rafah city. 4 of our colleagues received the notification to evacuate. Despite this, Oxfam has been able to reach over 300,000 people with life-saving aid over the past 7 months.  We want to continue this work.

“With Israel now blocking aid, fuel or goods from entering the two critical crossings of Rafah and Kerem Shalom, humanitarian efforts to save lives will be even more difficult.

“Israel can only continue with its war crimes because powerful countries have given it carte blanche. Despite the pleadings of political leaders, despite the ruling of the international court, Israel knows that it can count on key allies for multi-billion-dollar funds and direct arms support.

“Ireland has stood out among the countries of the world as a true ally of the besieged Palestinian people. Today and with the utmost sense of urgency we reiterate our calls for:

- an immediate and permanent ceasefire
- opening up of all land & sea crossings into Gaza to allow in lifesaving aid
-  the unconditional return of all hostages

“Recent history has taught us that calls for a ceasefire can fall on deaf ears so long as Israel knows it has the backing of powerful allies. Therefore, in addition, we are now calling for:

- the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement
- halting of the transfer of money and arms to Israel by its allies

“The time has come when we in Ireland must call out our international friends who, through open or tacit support for Israel, are allowing this travesty to happen before our very eyes.

“Israel’s allies have blood on their hands. In everything we do in Ireland, through the EU and internationally we must work to end this deepening nightmare”.