Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris has condemned the killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza, calling it a 'silencing of some of the few journalistic voices left' in the region. The journalists, including prominent correspondent Anas al-Sharif, 28, were killed while sheltering outside al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on Sunday night.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) held protests at the Spire in Dublin and in Writer's Square in Belfast on Monday evening to condemn the killings. The union accused Israel of targeting reporters and camera operators in Gaza.
Speaking outside Government Buildings on Monday, Harris extended sympathy to Al Jazeera and the families of the victims. He said any attack on civilians, including journalists, should be condemned, and called for a ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages.
Harris noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government appears to be moving in the opposite direction to peace, but highlighted recent protests within Israel where citizens have said 'not in my name' to the government's actions.
