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The European Union has lost credibility because of its response to Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said on Monday.
Speaking in New York ahead of the UN General Assembly, McEntee urged EU member states to act collectively to pressure the Israeli government, according to Irish broadcaster RTÉ.
“We need to act collectively. We are failing here, to be quite honest,” she said. “Our credibility is gone on this issue and if we don't act collectively then the decisions of the Israeli government will not change.”
Ireland calls for EU-wide sanctions
McEntee said Ireland was seeking EU-wide sanctions on Israeli goods and services, arguing that measures adopted by individual countries would have only a limited effect.
Irish legislation banning imports of Israeli goods originating in the occupied Palestinian territories came into force this week. McEntee said Ireland’s move had encouraged other countries to consider similar legislation.
“While we've made decisions—we've recognised Palestine, and more countries have done that; we've implemented our own legislation, and other countries are talking about doing the same; we've put sanctions on individuals—it's not enough,” she said.
“We need to be responding more effectively and more collectively. For that legislation to have an impact, it needs to be done on an EU-wide basis.”
Minister says Israel is violating international law
McEntee said Ireland’s position was that Israel was violating international law, adding: “We are seeing an attempt to erase a population.”
Asked about upcoming international football matches between Ireland and Israel, she said individuals should decide for themselves whether to watch them.
The Irish government, she added, would remain focused on taking “more concrete actions” to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.
