The Israeli occupation forces have ended their all-out attack on the Jenin Refugee Camp in the occupied West Bank of Palestine. The assault, the largest in the West Bank in over 20 years, has left 12 dead – including 3 minors. Many more have been injured with several people in critical condition.
The Israeli army laid siege to the camp, blocking access even for medical services and cutting power, water, and communications – further hampering relief efforts. At least 3,000 residents of the camp have been forced to flee their homes.
The Israeli government claimed to be targeting ‘militants’ but their actions amount to collective punishment of the Palestinian population. It comes after the election of possibly the most right-wing government in Israeli history and a ratcheting up of settlement activity, including numerous attacks on Palestinian villages by groups of settlers – defended by the army and encouraged by government ministers.
The Irish government, alongside the EU, have been quick to condemn Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and the Russian occupation of Crimea yet when it comes to the decades-long Israeli occupation of Palestine they either remain silent or produce mealy-mouthed statements about Israel’s right to security. Israel continues to have preferential access to EU markets through the Euromed agreement and Israeli citizens enjoy visa-free travel throughout the EU – something not extended to Palestinians.
Even UN secretary general António Guterres has condemned the “excessive force used by Israeli forces” and declared the “use of airstrikes is inconsistent with the conduct of law enforcement operations”.
We need to up the pressure on the Irish government to heed the calls from Palestinians for a campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against the apartheid regime.
