Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said that the video showing Israeli authorities’ treatment of Gaza aid flotilla protesters has “accelerated” the mood within the European Union for action against Israel. Speaking after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Mr Martin noted that the footage had “shocked the world”.
In the video, Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is seen walking among detainees, stating they should remain in prison for a long time. The footage depicts individuals kneeling on the ground in tightly packed groups with their hands tied behind their backs. This video and the detention of flotilla participants have been condemned by senior Irish Government figures and across the EU.
Mr Martin said there was “a lot of anger” across the EU at the treatment of the protesters, who he said were “abducted in international waters”. He added that the behaviour of the Israeli minister was “absolutely shocking”. He also highlighted broader concerns, including the failure to fulfil phase one of the peace agreement regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza, ongoing violence in the West Bank, and developments in Lebanon.
The Taoiseach stated that the video had “accelerated the momentum” towards EU action, noting that individual prime ministers had independently expressed outrage. He confirmed that the matter will be on the agenda for the next European Council meeting, having received “positive feedback” from his correspondence to European Council president Antonio Costa.
Regarding a proposed ban on importing goods from Israel, Mr Martin said he did not believe a ban on services was “implementable or viable” and that it was not legally within Ireland’s capacity to impose.
