1,000 signatures reached
To: Taoiseach and Tanaiste
Healthcare Workers for Palestine
Dear Taoiseach,
As healthcare workers we call on you, who as a doctor must share our core values of Compassion, Integrity and Justice, to show leadership in a divided Europe.
Ireland must show that we learn from the tragedies of the past, and rather than seeking retribution for them, we act to prevent them happening again. The children of today should not die because of what happened to the children of yesterday.
If we do not do all in our power to stop Israel committing human rights abuses in Palestine, we are complicit with them.
We ask the Oireachtas to:
• Enact the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018
• Enact the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023
• Exclude from government contracts or investment all companies complicit with Israel’s violation of human rights, including ending our arms trade with Israel
• Ensure that no arms intended for use by Israel transit through Shannon airport
• Recognise the State of Palestine
These actions are long overdue – to our shame. If we had undertaken them when they were first proposed, Gaza might not be the graveyard for children that it is today.
Why is this important?
These actions would:
Bring an end to Ireland's trade with and investment in the illegal Israeli settlements in Occupied Palestine (in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention)
Would end the Irish State's support for the gross violation of human rights being perpetrated by Israel;
and would support the Palestinian people's right to self-determination
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2023/28/ (Occupied Territories)
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2018/6/ (Illegal Settlements)
https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/atrocity-crimes/Doc.33_GC-IV-EN.pdf
https://www.nad.ps/en/publication-resources/faqs/recognition-palestine
How it will be delivered
We will deliver the petition to Leinster House