The number of civilian injuries, fatalities and human misery under Israel’s campaign in Gaza is “shocking “ and “breaches of international law” by Israel will be called out, said Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney who called upon the international community to support humanitarian assistance for the Palestinians. Speaking at a media round table in New Delhi on March 15, Mr. Coveney called for greater commercial ties between India and Ireland but also argued forcefully for bringing the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine to an end.
“Ireland strongly condemns the terrorist attack that happened when Hamas attacked many Israeli citizens on seventh of October…Since then in the context of Israel’s response, we have also been very vocal as we believe that the war in Gaza has been beyond self defence and the number of civilian injuries and fatalities are shocking. More than 30,000 people are dead, many of them children and women. While Israel has the right to defend itself, there are rules to war and international law that democratic states like Israel have to consider,” said Mr. Coveney pitching for ceasefire in Gaza.
Mr. Coveney, who is leading an Irish delegation to India on a seven-day trade mission between 11 and 18 March expressed Ireland’s support for a two-state solution to establish lasting peace in the region and said, “The Irish people people have a strong view on the peace process.” Mr. Coveney who had earlier served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade spoke of his past personal visits to Gaza Strip and said unlike in other war zones, civilians of Gaza Strip have no where to flee as Gaza is a densely populated area holding 2 million people. He urged the international community to address the existing disease and starvation in Gaza and said the children of Gaza need “extensive psychological support” because of the suffering that they have undergone under Israeli bombing.
