Ireland to vote in favour of Palestine joining UN as Tánaiste decries Israel’s seizure of Rafah crossing

Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 8, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled

Senan Molony

The Tánaiste has deplored Israel’s seizure of the north gate of the Rafah crossing, where he visited just over a week ago.

Micheál Martin was making a special presentation to his Government colleagues in the Green Party and expressed his frustration at the heavy-handed restrictions Israel is putting on humanitarian aid into Gaza.

He said Ireland is putting pressure at international levels on this issue, with trucks on the Egyptian side now unable to cross.

Ireland will also vote in favour of Palestinian membership of the UN when the UN General Assembly considers this issue on Friday, Mr Martin said, adding that Irish officials expect this vote to be carried by a significant margin. A similar vote was vetoed by the US just three weeks ago.

TV footage worldwide has shown Israeli tanks crushing Gaza signage at the crossing, where Mr Martin was briefed by UNRWA and humanitarian officials only ten days ago.

As well as condemning the death toll in Gaza, he also spoke of his concern at the fact that there are now thousands of children who have lost their parents, while many of the adults who will be expected to rebuild Gaza have been traumatised by the destruction.

The Tánaiste outlined several of the important steps Ireland has taken to support the population of Gaza, including the decision in February to commit an additional €20m in funding to UNRWA.

He said this sent an important signal of support to the international community for the vital work it does in supporting Palestinian refugees. He said the agency is essential not just in providing humanitarian work during the current conflict but will also play a central role in the reconstruction of Gaza once the conflict ends.

In response to questions from TDs and Senators on recognition of Palestine, the Tánaiste outlined how the Government is working closely with likeminded countries such as Spain in order to be in a position to recognise a Palestinian state in the coming weeks.

He also told the Green Party meeting that Ireland will intervene in the genocide case at the International Court of Justice soon after South Africa has filed its substantive case, which he expects to happen by October.

The Tánaiste also outlined how Ireland is pushing the European Commission for a response to the letter sent by Ireland and Spain seeking a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.