Assault on Gaza: 'Dáil must be recalled'

SINN FÉIN President Gerry Adams TD has this morning appealed to the Taoiseach to recall the Dáil to support an end to violence and in support of the United Nations appeal for a 72 hour humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

The Sinn Féin leader this morning spoke to the Palestinian Government's chief negotiator Saeb Erekat who is based in Ramallah.

The Louth TD said Saeb Erekat asked that the Irish people and the international community support the United Nations call for a humanitarian 72 hour ceasefire.

“The Palestinian Unity government has agreed to this. The government of Israel has refused," Gerry Adams said.

“Saeb told me that there is no oil, no water, and no electricity in Gaza. He described to me this current Israeli assault as seeking the total destruction of Gaza."

The Sinn Féin President went on to criticise the Irish Government for failing to support a UN Human Rights Council motion last week calling for the setting up of an International Commission of Investigation into events in the war torn region.

“I wrote to An Taoiseach last Thursday requesting that he recall the Dáil to discuss the situation in Gaza and the position of the Irish Government. The Taoiseach has not answered my letter but he has indicated that he is not willing to accede to Sinn Féin's request for the Dáil to be reconvened, despite this call receiving support from TDs across parties and none.

“I believe that this is a mistake, particularly now that the Seanad will be reconvened to discuss this urgent issue, but also in light of the Palestinian support for the UN ceasefire call."

He said that the Irish government and the Dáil are well-positioned to provide leadership at this critical juncture as efforts are made to end the violence.

"Given our own history as a people, our experience of conflict and our peace process, we can and should play a constructive role in seeking to find a resolution to conflict in the Middle East," he said.