Pringle: 'I’m embarrassed that this government represents us'

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, said the Government cannot wait any longer to join South Africa’s case to the International Court of Justice, calling their failure to take this step “shocking and indefensible”.

After today’s ICJ ruling that Israel must take steps to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinian people, Deputy Pringle said: “I’m embarrassed that this government represents us. It certainly does not represent the Irish people, who have shown in their thousands, in marches and rallies across the country, that they stand with the Palestinian people and want an immediate ceasefire and an end to the killing.

“The Irish people are again ahead of the Government in this case, as they have been in so many other instances, and I want to credit the public for the influence their actions have already had on the Government’s position.

“What will it take for this Government to take this strong stand on a genocide that we are watching unfold before our eyes? The decision not to stand with South Africa in this most important case is shocking and indefensible.

“I again call on the Government to join South Africa’s case to the International Court of Justice. As I have said before, history will not judge kindly those who turned a blind eye to the extermination of the Palestinian people,” he said.

Meanwhile,  Sinn Féin TDs for Donegal, Pearse Doherty and Pádraig MacLochlainn, have welcomed today’s significant and decisive judgement from and have said the only way for the order of the court to be fulfilled is through a full, immediate and permanent ceasefire.

They reiterated the call of Sinn Féin President, Mary Lou McDonald TD, for the Irish government to now join with South Africa in their case to hold Israel accountable for their crimes against the Palestinian people.

“Today’s preliminary judgement from the International Court of Justice is decisive and significant," Deputy Doherty said. "It has established that South Africa has standing and that Israel has a case to answer. The ICJ has ordered that Israel cease the targeting and killing of Palestinians, that it must take measures to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza strip and that it must allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

“Today’s rulings are binding on Israel. They must be respected and enforced. Israeli impunity must end. The only way to fulfil the order of the court is through a full, immediate and permanent ceasefire.

“Sinn Féin has lodged a motion in the Dáil committing Ireland to join with South Africa in their case at the International Court of Justice, which will be debated next week, and we expect the government and all Donegal TDs to support it.”

Deputy Mac Lochlainn said: “The decision of the International Court of Justice must be met by the international community with a clear and unequivocal call for a permanent ceasefire.

“Having heard the provisional ruling of the International Court of Justice, the Irish Government must now clearly and unequivocally indicate their intention to join with South Africa in their case to hold Israel accountable for their crimes.

“Sinn Féin has lodged a motion in the Dáil committing Ireland to join with South Africa in their case at the International Court of Justice. This motion will be debated next week and we fully expect that the government will support this motion.”