Ireland’s foreign minister said his country would support EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell’s recommendation to impose sanctions against far-right Israeli ministers as well as settler organisations in Judea and Samaria “that promote settlement expansion”.
Speaking at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Michel Martin said Israel, with its military campaign in Gaza, is targeting the entire Palestinian people, and not just the Hamas terror group. He added that he wants the European Union to reconsider its ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
“This is a war against the Palestinians, not just Hamas. The number of civilian casualties and deaths is disproportionate,” he argues. “This is a war against the population. There is no point in trying to fake this.”
According to him, the recent decision of the International Court of Justice on the illegality of Israeli military control over Gaza and Judea and Samaria obliges the EU to take action.
“This cannot continue as usual,” Martin told reporters. “We are absolutely clear that international humanitarian law has been violated.”
Ties between the EU and Israel, which are important trading partners, are governed by the so-called Association Agreement. Ireland and Spain insist that their EU partners check whether Israel has broken the rules.
Martin also said Ireland’s transport department was investigating reports that Israel may have been transporting weapons through Irish airspace without permission.
“Any cargo aircraft carrying weapons must request exceptions. No exceptions have been requested for any flight,” he said.
Cursor previously wrote that a public clash between Katz and Borrell took place.
