NUACHTLITIR PHALAISTÍNEACH PALESTINE NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2020 NEXT IRISH GOVERNMENT MUST RECOGNISE

STATE OFMARY LOU PALESTINE McDONALD

Over seventy years ago, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were driven from their homes and their land. The injustice and tragic consequences of those actions continue to the present day. Thousands of Palestinians have died as a result of the illegal Israeli occupation. Gaza is an open-air prison with an economic blockade, apartheid walls, poor sanitation and worse ventilation. Sadly, in the absence of a genuine, meaningful peace process, the crisis is deepening every day and the new ‘Deal of the Century’ will not solve it. The political and humanitarian crisis in Palestine cannot be resolved by the US and Israeli Governments and without the input of the Palestinians. Just like in , to be credible and lasting, the peace process can only be achieved through inclusive dialogue with all sides of the conflict. The Palestinian people have been badly let down by the international community over the decades. They have a responsibility to end this crisis and to support the cause of peace and establishment of Palestinian statehood. Abdelrazek and extend our welcome to Jilan Abdalmajid and I will The next Irish government must immediately recognise the be meeting with her in the coming weeks. State of Palestine as approved by the Dáil over five years ago. This is the decade of opportunity and I hope it’s the decade that This is long overdue. The time for stalling and heel dragging is finally sees peace, freedom and justice for the Palestinian people. over. We must have hope. We proposed this motion as an important act of international For our part, on behalf of Sinn Féin and the people of Ireland, solidarity. It must be implemented without delay. I would like to extend our continued support to the people of I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing ambassador Ahmad Palestine in their just quest for peace and Statehood.

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SINN FÉIN SUPPORTS: SINN FÉIN DEMANDS: • The national and democratic rights of the • The implementation of UN resolutions and the Palestinian people living under occupation or enforcement of international law in exile • The right to Palestinian Statehood • The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions SINN FÉIN CALLS ON THE IRISH GOVERNMENT TO: (BDS) campaign • Formally recognise the State of Palestine on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital SINN FÉIN CONDEMNS: • Expel the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland in • The continuing annexation of Palestinian protest against continued Israeli aggression land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem • Immediately stop procuring all military • The forced removal of Palestinian citizens equipment from Israeli manufacturers and the building of illegal settlements • Support efforts to establish a credible peace • The continued siege of Gaza process involving representatives of the • The use of all repressive measures and Palestinian and Israeli people respecting all draconian laws such as ‘Administrative democratic mandates Detention’ otherwise known as ‘Internment • Support the international community in without trial’ and the recent racist and developing a new, collective initiative to bring apartheid ‘Jewish nation-state’ legislation an end to the war against the Palestinian passed in the Knesset people.

Pat Sheehan MLA has voiced serious concerns following the publication of the US/Israeli Middle East plan for peace

The party’s Middle East Spokesperson said: “The political and humanitarian crisis in Palestine cannot be resolved by the US administration reaching an agreement with the Israeli Government alone. “Central to any credible peace process is inclusive dialogue involving representatives from all sides of the conflict rather than negotiating and reaching an agreement with one Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan addressing a Palestine solidarity rally in West Belfast protagonist. “The so-called Deal of the Century’ Government are acting in their own “The Palestinian people need our is in contravention of the 1993 Oslo political self-interests without care for the support at this dangerous and difficult Accord, the whole concept of a two-state potential consequences of their actions period. The international community solution, International Law and multiple and for the Palestinian people. need to publicly express their complete UN resolutions. It is reckless, dangerous “The reality is that this deal will only rejection at this attempt to subvert the and a step backwards in the quest for a serve to deteriorate the situation and make legitimate rights of the Palestinian people resolution to the Middle East crisis. efforts to establish peace much more to Statehood.” “The US administration and Israeli difficult.

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GERRY ADAMS COMMENDS OUTGOING AMBASSADOR Sinn Féin's attended a farewell reception in the Mansion House in November for outgoing Palestinian Ambassador Ahmed Abdelrazak. Speaking at the event, Gerry Adams praised Ambassador Abdelrazak for his “dedication and hard work" in promoting and defending the rights of the Palestinian people. The former Sinn Féin President described the response of the international community to the ongoing Israeli assault on Palestinians as “shameful”. Gerry Adams said: "It has been an honour to have worked with you, Ambassador Abdelrazak. “The Israeli apartheid regime has inflicted great hurt. It’s use of institutional violence, the killing of civilians, the theft of Palestinian water rights and land, the construction of illegal settlements are an affront and make the work of peace building incredibly difficult. "The Israeli government is in breach of international law and of UN resolutions. There is an obligation on the international community to demand that these be honoured. "We are all Palestinians. The people of Palestine deserve our full support.”

Seán Crowe TD slams US decision on Israeli settlements

Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe has sharply in clear contravention of international law. criticised the US government's “Israel has illegally built thousands of these colonial settlements announcement that it would no on stolen Palestinian land and over 600,000 illegal colonial settlers longer consider Israel’s illegal live in them. This violates the Fourth Geneva Convention, which colonial settlements in occupied prohibits an occupying power from transferring its population to Palestine as ‘inconsistent’ with the area it occupies. international law. “This US change of position will have a destabilising effect on the The party's Foreign Affairs region, it is dangerous and morally and legally wrong. Spokesperson said: “Any Irish government needs to robustly challenge the “International law is extremely US government’s support for Israel’s repeated violations of clear on this issue. Israel’s colonial international law and Israel’s apartheid regime in Palestine. settlements in occupied “We also need progress on the Occupied Territories Bill which Palestine are would make trade with illegal settlements a criminal offence in illegal under Ireland. international law. “This would send a strong message to the US and Israeli There is no legal governments that Ireland will not ignore the illegality of Israel’s nuance on colonial settlements in Palestine and the suffering of the this, they are Palestinian people under Israel’s apartheid regime.” www.sinnfein.ie PALESTINE NEWSLETTER | NUACHTLITIR PHALAISTÍNEACH PAGE 4

PALESTINIAN AMBASSADOR'S ADDRESS TO THE 2019 SINN FÉIN ARD FHEIS The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Ahmad are dealing with. But I can assure you justice will prevail. Abdelrazek, who was one of 4 international speakers to Since I arrived here 6 years ago I can say Ireland was address the November 2019 Ard Fheis in , said: my next home. The warmth I found amongst the Irish “Good evening. Unfortunately for me this will be my people specifically among the militants of Sinn Féin last ard fheis. I think the majority of you know what's whenever I visited all of Ireland everywhere I went I felt going on in Palestine, particularly in Gaza. You can the people are supporting the Palestinians not only understand the occupier we are dealing with. What's for political reasons but because they don't accept happened these last few days is the Israelis bombarded injustice. And here what I have seen and what I have a family, they killed 8 people, children, women and men, endured from the support which was a very important and wounded 12 people. Their first announcement was leverage for my work here in Ireland, the support of they killed a high leader of Islamic Jihad who they said people like the late Martin McGuinness and the one was hiding in this house. When it appeared that they who is still here Gerry Adams, and to understand how killed members of a poor family who had nothing to do we Palestinians see the Irish people and Sinn Féin anything they said 'Oh we thought that the house was specifically.” empty. So you can understand what kind of occupier we

 DERRY SINN FÉIN HELD EVENTS ACROSS IRELAND ON THE 29 NOVEMBER: THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINE  BELFAST

  GALWAY OMAGH

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Martina Anderson receives ‘Personality of the Year’ Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Ahmad Abdelrazek, with members of the McGuinness family, other International guests and Sinn Féin activists at the graveside of the late Martin McGuinness international award A prestigious Palestinian organisation ‘Lady of the Earth Foundation’ invited Sinn Féin MLA to receive the ‘Personality of the Year’ international award in Ramallah on 20 December 2019. REMEMBERING The organisers said they selected Martina in recognition of her work on behalf of the Palestinian MARTIN people in Ireland and throughout the world. Among those in attendance were senior international and Palestinian representatives including the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad The PalestinianMc AmbassadorGUINNESS to Ireland led a wreath laying Shtayyeh. ceremony at the grave of Martin McGuinness during the Martina Anderson said:”I am delighted to have Sinn Féin Ard Fheis alongside representatives from other received this award. It is an acknowledgement of international struggles including ANC Deputy Secretary all the solidarity work Sinn Féin has done, and will General, Jessie Duarte, The Cuban Ambassador to Ireland, Hugo continue to do, on behalf of the Palestinian people Ramos, The Nicaraguan Ambassador to Ireland and Britain, and in support of their legitimate demands for Guisell Morales-Echaverry and the Basque EH Bildu rep, Igor Statehood.” Zulaika.

• Martin McGuinness shares a light moment with Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Ahmed Abdelrazek in August 2014

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