INTERNATIONALAPRIL 2021 BULLETIN PALESTINE SPECIAL Sinn Féin President calls for show of solidarity with the people of Palestine

2020 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINE Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has called on the Irish government “As communities throughout the world attempt to to show solidarity with the Palestinian people by formally recognising the state cope with a global pandemic, the Israeli government of Palestine. Teachta McDonald said: continues to compound the challenges faced by “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People gives the international Palestinians through daily acts of aggression.” community, including Ireland, an opportu- nity to honour the hopes and aspirations for peace and dignity of the Palestinian – Sinn Féin President, Mary Lou McDonald TD people. “The Palestinian people continue children had their homes destroyed by to live under daily oppression and the Israeli security forces. the Israeli authorities are ramp- “Demolition is not confined to res- ing up their ongoing attempts at idential homes. Humanitarian infra- annexation of vast swaths of the structure, including farming equip- West Bank. ment, has also been destroyed. Much “Palestinian families are being of this equipment was funded by EU made homeless daily. Just this states, including Ireland. week we have witnessed Pales- “For all intents and purposes, the tinian families in the al-Burj and Israeli government is committed to al-Maita areas of the Jordan Valley making it impossible for the Pales- being forced out of their homes in tinian people to maintain a viable order to make way for Israeli mili- homeland. tary training operations in the area. “I am, once again, calling on the “As communities throughout the Irish government to use this occasion world attempt to cope with a global to honour the wishes of the elected pandemic, the Israeli govern- members of the who have ment continues to compound the voted to recognise the State of Pales- challenges faced by Palestinians tine and formally doing so on behalf of through daily acts of aggression. the Irish people. “In 2020, Israel authorities “They should also end their oppo- destroyed more Palestinian homes sition to the Occupied Territories Bill than at any time since 2016. and ensure it is brought back before “In November, on a single day, 41 the Oireachtas as soon as possible.”    @SFIntDept www.sinnfein.ie @sinnfeininternational SPECIAL 2 BULLETIN

DONEGAL SET TO TWIN

At January’s meeting of Done- Jack Murray for bringing for- galWITH County Council, Cllr RAMALLAHGerry ward TOWN the motion. McMonagle successfully se- Speaking after the meeting, cured a twinning relationship Councillor Gerry McMonagle between the Council and West said: Bani Zaid in the Ramallah “Sinn Féin councillors are District of Palestine. delighted and honoured to MP A motion was brought forward have supported this request following a request from providing some basic practical the Mayor of West Bani Zaid assistance to the Palestinian Call to exert proposing that the two areas people of West Bani Zaid enter a twinning arrange- particularly considering the ment to build stronger links repression and deprivation between cities and towns in Palestinian people constant- pressure on Ireland with Palestine. Cllr. Gerry ly face including the denial Cllr McMonagle outlined McMonagle of their National rights, the the basis for the twinning that apartheid regime they are israel over each Council would share their forced to live under, and the experience and policies on ongoing occupation and col- issues like tourism, economic The move was welcomed by onisation of their land by the evictions development, environment West Bani Zaid Mayor Mr Yazan Israeli government. and planning. R. Remawi who expressed his “On behalf of the people of The motion was seconded gratitude and thanks to the Donegal, we look forward to Head of the Palestinian Mis- by Cllr Jack Murray and backed members of Donegal County building greater and closer co- sion to the Britain, Ambassador unanimously by the other Council and in particular, to operation with our Palestinian Husam Zomlot, has called on the members of the Council. Cllr’s Gerry McMonagle and brothers and sisters.” British government, lawmakers and civil society to exert pres- sure on Israel to prevent another humanitarian disaster. The Israeli occupation forces Government must take ‘tangible are readying plans to evict 37 households comprising 195 Pal- estinians from their homes in the action’ to support the Palestinian East Jerusalem neighbourhoods of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan. Ambassador Zomlot said: “These peopleSinn Féin’s John Brady - JohnTD has criticised Brady shelved TD the Occupied Territories Bill and have evictions are part of a clear pat- Minister on the lack of ac- further chosen to ignore the express wishes tern of Israeli aggression, which tion on behalf of the Irish government over of the Oireachtas to recognise the state of seeks to consolidate Israel’s ongoing de facto Israeli annexation of the Palestine. hold on the occupied territories, West Bank. “These are real and tangible actions, which especially occupied East Jerusa- Speaking at the Joint Committee on Foreign offered an opportunity for Ireland to show the lem, at the expense of the land’s Affairs and Defence, Teachta Brady said: type of leadership over Palestine, which many in native population.” “Annexation is a war crime. This is a fact that this country did over apartheid in South Africa. Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has been established in law by the United “International opinion impacts on Israeli intent. added: Nations. We as a country could have brought focus to “This outrageous. Israeli au- “The de facto annexation of the West Bank by bear on their actions. thorities are planning to oust 37 the Israeli government is ongoing as we speak. “We could have offered a brief, but much need- Palestinians from their homes in This is something that I have commented on ed sense of optimism to the Palestinian people, the middle of a pandemic. repeatedly. simply by acting upon the stated wishes of the “It is unacceptable that Israel “I have appealed for the Irish government to members of the Dáil, but which the government can continue to treat the people take the type of tangible action that is neces- refuses to act upon. of Palestine and international sary to support the people of Palestine to resist “We must continue to put pressure on the gov- law with disdain. the illegal actions of the Israeli authorities. ernment, we must increase pressure when and “The Irish government, the EU “Unfortunately, Minister Coveney and the Irish where we can, we must find new and innovative and International must stand government refuse to do so. ways to bring the very real sense of outrage against these continued attacks “I know that my focus on Palestine angers the felt by the people of Ireland to the doorstep of on occupied territory. Enough is Minister. But the reality is that the government, this government – then we can begin to effect enough.” largely at the behest of the Minister, have change.”

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Online Discussion with Palestine Ambassador To mark International Day of Solidarity with Palestine, John Brady spoke to Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba live on Facebook for an update on the situation in Palestine, the Occupied Territories Bill and to restate Sinn Féin’s solidarity with the people of Palestine.

You can re-watch the event here: www.facebook.com/224341847590305/videos/327740585347222

EU must increase Israeli pressure to ensure

PalestineSinn Féin’s Chris MacManus MEP Vaccinations has de- – Chris MacManus scribed the EU’s effort to ensure Palestin- ians receive the vaccine as an “overly dip- lomatic act of insufficiency” and called for more “tangible influence to be exerted”. Last month, the Midlands Northwest MEP, along with other MEPs from The Left group wrote to Mr Borrell, the EU’s Foreign Affairs High Representative, to request action on Israel’s refusal to vaccinate Palestinians. Speaking from Brussels, Chris MacManus commented: “I welcome the EU taking direct action to get vaccines to the Palestinian people; its efforts here should be increased. Howev- er, I am disappointed the EU’s diplomatic pressure on Israel, to fulfil its obliga- tions under international law, has been described as mere “encouragement”. To me, High Representative Borrell’s letter is “The EU must engage in a deep revaluation of its relationship with a polite way of saying the EU will not really Israel, in light of such blatant violations of its obligations as an challenge Israel but instead will do our best to reverse the worst impacts of Isra- occupying power, and a lack of respect for human rights.” el’s actions, ie the path of least resistance. “Israel recently backed down from its complete refusal to vaccinate Palestinians, – Sinn Féin MEP, Chris MacManus saying it would vaccinate 100,000 Pales- “The EU must engage in a deep revalua- from the EU is an overly diplomatic act of tinian workers in Israel or working in its tion of its relationship with Israel, in light insufficiency and I am calling for more tan- settlements in the West Bank. Last Friday, of such blatant violations of its obliga- gible influence to be exerted. it backtracked on this rollout, announcing tions as an occupying power, and a lack of “I believe the first step in the reorienta- a postponement, which it attributed to respect for human rights. The EU’s current tion should be a suspension of Israel from administrative delays. It has not provided approach only encourages Israel to push all EU funded projects and an EU wide ban any information on a possible new start the boundaries of oppression in the occu- on Israeli products produced in the occu- date. pied territories. I think what we’re seeing pied territories entering the EU.”

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Minister must act on destruction of Irish taxpayer funded material by Israel - John Brady TD “Ireland, along with other EU states is seeking compensation of over €650,000 for the destruction of Finucane material destroyed by Israel, which was funded by taxpayers.” applauds – Sinn Féin TD, John Brady Sinn Féin’s John Brady TD ment, paid for by the Irish policy akin to apartheid. has welcomed the decision tax payer, by Israeli forces. “Ireland, along with UN motion by the Joint Committee on The party’s Foreign Affairs other EU states is seek- Foreign Affairs and Defence spokesperson said: ing compensation of over (JCFAD) to write to Minister “In the first instance, the €650,000 for the destruction recognising Simon Coveney following wanton destruction of Pal- of material destroyed by the destruction of Irish estinian property by Israel Israel, which was funded by taxpayer funded material by is illegal. It is illegal under taxpayers. Palestinian Israel. international law, and un- “This is Irish tax-payers The letter asks that der the Geneva Convention. money. It is not enough for right to self the Minister to issue state- ments on the matter. The Minister must communicate determination the government’s stance on this matter directly with the Israeli Ambassador. Sinn Féin MP “What is happening day has welcomed overwhelming in and day out in Palestine support at the United Na- is totally unacceptable. tions for the right of the Pal- John Brady TD What happened in Hamsa Al estinian people to self-deter- Bqai’a is unacceptable. mination in December. “Moreover, the Irish tax- The North Belfast MP said: payer cannot be expected to “What we have witnessed at see its hard-earned efforts the UN is a massive declara- destroyed by a draconi- tion of support for the Pales- an regime, without the tinian people. A total of 168 government calling them to states from across the globe, account on the matter. from every continent, voted Minister Coveney summon “The attack on the village “The Minister for Foreign to offer their support for the the Israeli Ambassador to of Humsa Al Bqai’a of the Affairs needs to summon Palestinian cause. Ireland, Mr. Ophir Kariv, to West Bank, which led to the the Israeli Ambassador, and “This also sends a clear protest against the destruc- destruction and confis- make known the strength message to the Irish govern- tion of Palestinian property, cation of property, is just of feeling in the country on ment - it is now time to cease infrastructure and equip- a continuation of a state this matter.” prevaricating. “It is time to honour the wishes of the members of the Oireachtas, who six years ago “The Minister for Foreign Affairs needs to summon this month voted to recog- the Israeli Ambassador, and make known the strength nise the state of Palestine. “The Irish government must of feeling in the country on this matter.” act now. It is way past time for Ireland to recognise the Palestinian state.” – Sinn Féin TD, John Brady    @SFIntDept www.sinnfein.ie @sinnfeininternational SPECIAL 5 BULLETIN

Sinn Féin leaders extend condolences on the passing of Saeb Erekat

The late General Secretaru of the Palestinian Liberation Organistion, Saeb Erekat pictured with Pat Sheehan MLA

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has expressed her Former Sinn Féin President also extended his condolences following the recent death of the General Secre- “deepest condolences and solidarity” to Palestinian President tary of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, Saeb Erekat. Mahmoud Abbas on the death of Saeb Erekat who has died as She said: a result of Covid-19. “The world is a much sadder place following the loss of the Gerry Adams said: human rights activist and campaigner for Palestinian libera- “Ba mhaith liom mo chombhrón a thabhairt do chlann Er- tion, Saeb Erekat. ekat. It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death “As General Secretary of the Palestinian Liberation Organi- of Saeb Erekat. In the course of my visits to the Middle East sation (PLO), Saeb Erekat, was a tireless fighter for the rights and as part of Sinn Féin’s long relationship with the Palestin- and freedom of the Palestinian people throughout his life. ian people I had the pleasure of meeting Saeb Erekat. “Over the course of the last three decades, Saeb had been “As the Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation central to many negotiations and worked to deliver a lasting Organisation, and as the chief negotiator for the PLO, Saeb solution to end the occupation and oppression of the Pales- was steadfast in his defence of the rights of the people of tinian people. Palestine to freedom and independence. He was committed “Saeb adopted a principled and pragmatic approach to dialogue and peace and to the creation of a genuine peace these negotiations in the hope of bringing the conflict to a process in the Middle East that would resolve all of the re- conclusion and ensuring the human rights of the Palestinian lationships and ensure a peaceful, democratic future for the people are respected. people of that region. “Throughout the duration of his activism, Saeb was a keen “In 2014 during the Israeli assault on Gaza Saeb made time advocate of building international relations with other strug- to brief me about the desolation and destruction being inflict- gles across the globe, particularly acknowledging the value ed on the citizens of that besieged area by the Israeli govern- of international solidarity in highlighting the plight of the ment. He worked hard to secure a humanitarian ceasefire in Palestinian people. the face of Israeli rejections. “Sinn Féin had a longstanding friendship with Saeb Erekat “Saeb was very conscious of the long positive relationship and our representatives have had the honour of meeting him between the Irish and Palestinian people. He thanked the on several occasions. people of Ireland for their ongoing support for the Palestinian “Saeb was a dear friend of Ireland and a friend of the Irish people. people. “Saeb will be missed by his comrades, his family and the “The only fitting legacy to this remarkable and resilient Palestinian people. As they and we seek to advance the campaigner for peace and justice is a permanent homeland peaceful and democratic objectives to which he dedicated his for the Palestinian people. life there is an onus on the Irish government, at this import- “On behalf of Sinn Féin, I want to extend my solidarity to ant juncture in international relations, to implement past the family and comrades of Saeb Erekat. Ar dheis Dé go raibh Oireachtas motions and recognise the state of Palestine. a anam dílis” “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

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Palestinian unity initiative requires support of entire international community Sinn Féin National Chair- – person Declan Kearney has welcomed as very significant the joint communique from “In the lead up to, and since this all main Palestinian political forces, agreeing on the need conference, I have been in contact with for national political unity to oppose the normalising of leadership representatives from the relations between Arab states with Israel, and the latest main Palestinian forces. It is clear they plans to annex Palestine. all share a determination to develop a This follows an online conference linking Ramallah united approach under the leadership and Beirut with representation from all Palestinian political of the PLO, to oppose the ongoing, parties and forces for the first time since 2011, under the illegal occupation of Palestine.” auspices of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). – Declan Kearney MLA The South Antrim MLA and minister in the northern re- gional Executive, said: “The outcome of this con- Palestinian forces. It is clear icant challenges involved, Sinn rights conventions. Palestinian ference held simultaneously they all share a determination Féin urges all the Palestinian civilians are being summarily in Ramallah and Beirut, to to develop a united approach leaders to constructively killed and seriously injured by enable participation by the under the leadership of the support this initiative. At this Israeli troops on a daily basis leaderships of all Palestinian PLO, to oppose the ongoing, time the Palestinian struggle in the West Bank, while Pal- political forces and parties, is illegal occupation of Palestine. requires a sustainable, strate- estinian land continues to be a very positive step towards “As a result of the con- gic programme of united pop- illegally occupied and homes establishing a united strategy ference, a representative ular resistance, and political are being demolished. against the Israeli occupation national committee will now opposition against the Israeli “This PLO initiative, spon- of Palestine and plans for be formed, tasked with devel- occupation. sored by President Mahmoud ongoing annexation. oping a strategic approach to “The deepening political, Abbas, is a serious opportuni- “This is the first occasion maximising national unity and economic and health crisis ty to build a unified strategy in that all Palestinian leaders political reconciliation, among in all of Palestine must not support of Palestinian nation- have come together collective- all Palestinian forces, under be ignored any longer by the al and human rights. ly since 2011. the leadership of the PLO. This international community. “It requires encouragement “That in itself is highly is a very important develop- “The siege of Gaza is an and support from the entire significant. Division and dis- ment. absolute violation of inter- international community.” agreement among Palestinian “Notwithstanding the signif- national law and universal political forces has weakened the development of effective opposition to Israeli occupa- “The deepening political, economic and health crisis tion. “In the lead up to, and since this conference, I have been in all of Palestine must not be ignored any longer by in contact with leadership representatives from the main the international community.” – Declan Kearney MLA

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OPINION: International Criminal Court toWar crimes investigate committed by Israel Israeli warIndeed, the investigationcrimes troops for actions in Afghani- in the occupied Palestinian ter- may be expanded to include stan. ritories are to be investigated by by Peadar Whelan, the killings of over 200 Pales- The US, like Israel, does not the International Criminal Court tinians, including more than recognize the court’s jurisdic- it has been revealed. 40 children, at demonstrations tion. At the time, then-secretary The last hurdle in the way of along the Gaza border in what of state Mike Pompeo said the the Court’s investigations was the Palestinians called the Great sanctions were meant as retri- removed when it was announced March of Return. Initiated in bution for investigations into on 5 February 2021, that the 2018 Palestinian demonstrators the United States and its allies, ICC, which sits in the Hague, would march every Friday to the a reference to Israel. approved Chief Prosecutor Fatou security fence on the Gaza/Isra- Meanwhile the US and its Bensouda’s request to open el border demanding the right to newly installed Biden adminis- legal proceedings against Israel return to their lands stolen and tration, seems likely to follow on in both the Occupied West Bank occupied by Israelis since 1948 from where the Trump adminis- and in Gaza. only to be met by sniper fire, tration left off with a State De- Prosecutor Bensouda had and humanity, for the values of gas attacks and other munitions partment spokesperson echoing concluded, in December 2019, truth, fairness and freedom, and leading to the death and injuries the Israeli view that they “do that the Court’s initial find- for the blood of the victims and of many unarmed protesters. not believe the Palestinians ings made after five years of their families,” according to the Separately, Ms Bensouda qualify as a sovereign state, and preliminary examination, were a official Wafa news agency argued there was a “reasonable therefore, are not qualified to sufficient basis for an investi- Hamas also welcomed the de- basis” to believe that Israeli obtain membership as a state or gation into war crimes commit- cision saying “any decision that authorities had committed war participate as a state in interna- ted by Israel in the occupied contributes to supporting the crimes by moving Israeli civil- tional organizations, entities, or territories and that the Court did rights of the Palestinian people ians into the West Bank to live in conferences including the ICC. have jurisdiction to look into the and defends their freedom is an settlements. “We have serious concerns matter. appropriate decision. According to the Fourth Gene- about the ICC’s attempts to exer- In a statement to An Pho- “The Palestinian people await va Convention it is unlawful for cise its jurisdiction over Israeli blacht the Palestinian Ambas- the day that the occupation and an occupying power to transfer personnel” he added. sador Wahba – Abdalmajid its leaders are brought to trial parts of its own population As the ICC doesn’t try coun- welcoming the ICC announce- for their crimes against it. We into the territory it occupies. tries, but rather individuals, ment said “the State of Pal- call [for the] use [of] all means This means that international the ruling could mean that estine welcomed the decision to stop Zionist terror and crimes humanitarian law prohibits the Netanyahu, and senior military on jurisdiction from the ICC. against the Palestinian people”. establishment of settlements, as leaders could be held responsi- This decision paves the way for On the other hand, Israeli these are a form of population ble for the actions of the Israeli investigations to begin into war Prime Minister Benjamin Net- transfer into occupied territory. military in Gaza and the West crimes committed by Israel. anyahu, reacted to the news in The court’s ruling is a major Bank. The decision of the ICC not typical Trumpian fashion and slap in the face to the Israeli “The decision is welcome a political one, and the State attacked the Court calling the government which argued that because it shows that the ICC of Palestine respects their probe “pure anti-Semitism” and the ICC did not have jurisdiction will not be intimidated with independent mandate. We ded- vowing to fight it. over Gaza or the Occupied West respect to criminal allegations icate ourselves to co-operating “When the ICC investigates Bank. directed at countries protected fully to achieving justice for our Israel for fake war crimes, this is Since January 2015 and the by Western geopolitics,” says people. pure anti-Semitism,” Netanyahu ICC’s initial announcement Richard Falk, a well-known “Ending the culture of impu- raged in an English-language to conduct war crimes inves- international law professor, nity and enforcing respect for video sent out by his office. tigations against Israel the referring to Israel. international law will enhance a The ICC initiated its inquiries Israeli regime has engaged in Added Falk “there is little global culture of peace and this in 2015 just weeks after Palestin- a propaganda and diplomatic doubt in my mind, given the will always be in tandem with ian President Mahmoud Abbas war against the body accusing availability of abundant evi- our commitment to achieving signed the statute formally it of being an “anti-Israeli body” dence and credible witnesses, our goal of independence within accepting the jurisdiction of the that has “granted a tailwind to that an ICC investigation would a peaceful two-state solution. In ICC. This ultimately led to the terrorism”. produce indictments, convic- the absence of accountability, scrutiny of both the Palestinian However, after the December tions, and arrest warrants,” the the breaches of international Authority and Hamas as well as 2019 ruling the Israeli count- international law professor law and heavy-handed policies Israel. er-offensive against the ICC has assesses. of subjugation of Palestinian While mainly focused on the intensified. “On the basis of preliminary rights would continue unabat- Israeli war on Gaza in 2014, when In 2020, the Trump admin- ICC investigations, the alleged ed.” during a 50-day onslaught over istration-imposed sanctions perpetrators of the crimes Palestinian Authority Prime 2,200 Palestinians were killed, against ICC officials, including include Netanyahu, as well as Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh the court is also likely to investi- revoking Bensouda’s entry other political officials and also praised the decision, gate Israeli activities in the West visa, in response to the court’s military commanders and IDF calling it “a victory for justice Bank and East Jerusalem. attempts to prosecute American personnel,” he said.

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StSinn Féin heldPatrick’s a St. Patrick’s Day online concert Day for a united Ireland Online which featured a message Concert from Mustafa Barghouti (former Minister & General Secretary of Palestinian National Initiative) and a piece of music from Palestinian singer, Miral Ayyad. Speaking at the event, Mustafa Barghouti said: “I would like to wish a Happy St. Patrick’s Day to our friends in Sinn Féin and to Irish people all over the world. “This day is a day of commitment to freedom and also it coincides this year with the 40th anniversary of the H-Block hunger strike which was a heroic act. “It also reminds us of the struggle of the Palestinian people for freedom and against the system of racism and apartheid. “And the struggle of no less than 5,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.”

Sheehan welcomes announcement

Sinnof Féin freshMLA Pat Sheehan haselections wel- to the demands for peacein andPalestine justice impetus and international initiative to comed an agreement by the Palestinian in the Middle East. It will unfortunately the moribund peace process in Pales- factions to hold a number of elections mean continued repression, the build- tine. in Palestine in the coming months. ing of more illegal settlements and a “The Palestinian people need a unified Speaking after meeting with the Pal- concerted attempt to drive Palestinians strategy involving all representatives, estinian Ambassador to Ireland, the off their land. from all parties, to expose the condi- party’s Middle East Spokesperson said: “Israel’s strategy is wrong, illegal tions they are forced to live under by “The decision announced by President and must be condemned and actively the Israeli apartheid state and deal Mahmoud Abbas that elections will take opposed by all in the international com- with the nightmare they are forced to place on 22nd May to the Palestinian munity. It will also continue to fail. endure. parliament - The Palestinian Legislative “The legitimate and democratic rep- “It is Sinn Féin’s view that these elec- Council - and on 31st July for the Presi- resentation of the Palestinian people tions offer a great opportunity for the dency is welcome news. is an important and essential tool in Palestinian people to unite, re-strate- “There will also be an election in August their struggle internationally. The last gise and build an international struggle for the Palestinian Liberation Organisa- national elections were held in 2006. to achieve peace and justice based on tion which represents all Palestinians “This series of fresh elections creates their legitimate demands of Statehood, including refugees living abroad. an opportunity to provide a new man- on the borders of 1967 with East Jerusa- “It is clear from the recent Israeli elec- date on behalf of the Palestinian people lem as the capital of Palestine.” tion, on 23 March, that it offers nothing and open up the opportunity for a new

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