Mayo councillor extends support to Taoiseach on Gaza comments
An independent elected member of Mayo County Council has come out in support of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in respect of his comments on the ongoing Middle East crisis.
The Fine Gael leader described Israel's actions in Gaza as "something approaching revenge" in what was interpreted as some of the strongest criticism of Israel by a leader of a European Union member state.
"I strongly believe that Israel has the right to defend itself, has the right to go after Hamas, that they cannot do this again," Varadkar told journalists during a recent visit to South Korea.
"What I'm seeing unfolding at the moment isn't just self defence. It resembles something more approaching revenge.
"That's not where we should be. And I don't think that's how Israel will guarantee future freedom and future security," he said.
Councillor Seamus Weir, a former member of Fine Gael, concurs with Mr. Varadkar's viewpoint.
But he was disappointed that no support was forthcoming when he raised the issue at last Monday's meeting of Mayo County Council.
"We need to take every opportunity we can to call for the end of this bloodshed and the needless deaths of so many innocent men, women and children," said the Knockmore-based representative.
Councillor Weir also stated he is disappointed that the Palestinian and Ukrainian national flags, which had been flying outside the offices of Ballina Municipal District, have been taken down, much to the display of council staff and townspeople.
Speaking during a debate in the Dáil on the situation in Gaza, Marian Harkin TD said that expelling the Israeli ambassador could sideline Ireland and potentially neutralise whatever influence we have.
“I cannot support the call to expel the Israeli ambassador because I believe in my heart of hearts that keeping channels of communication open, keeping dialogue on the table, most especially with those people we disagree with, is crucial, in fact, I think it's essential,” the Sligo TD said.
Ms Harkin said that she fundamentally disagrees with some of the statements made by the Israeli ambassador.
"“I'm horrified by what I see happening in Gaza, at the Al-Shifa hospital and so many other hospitals, but my benchmark is; would the suspension of the Israeli ambassador improve the situation?
"Would it contribute positively? Would it save lives or help stop conflict? I believe the answer to those questions is ‘no’.
“I'm not pretending that our influence either way is very significant but the little influence we have must be used wisely because we all know that this terrible, cruel and shockingly inhumane conflict will only be resolved across a table of peace talks.
“We should do everything we can using whatever leverage we have within the EU, the US, Palestine, Israel anywhere in the world to help deliver some pause, some stop to the slaughter.
“That is our role, it is our duty and I believe expelling the Israeli ambassador will not further those efforts right now.
“There is a growing inhumanity in people's hearts as death and destruction become the only reality with rage and anger supplanting reason and empathy.
"If there is a way back, and there must be, we need to take inspiration from people like John Hume and many others who never gave up, never stopped talking, never stopped listening, never stopped engaging. That course of action does not make us weak it makes us strong,” Ms Harkin added.