ei: Sinn Fein leader calls for economic sanctions on Israel after Nablus incursion

Israeli soldiers arrest a Palestinian during a military operation in the West Bank city of Nablus, 28 February 2007. (MaanImages/Rami Swidan)

Sinn Fein Justice and International Affairs Spokesperson Aengus O Snodaigh TD has called on the Government to enforce emergency economic sanctions on Isreal after its latest illegal military incursion into Nablus in the West Bank. Deputy O Snodaigh said occupying Israeli forces have killed and wounded Palestinian civilians and forced young Palestinians to act as human shields.

Speaking in the Dail today Deputy O Snodaigh said, "There is an urgent need for the government to respond to the latest illegal Israeli military incursion into Nablus in the West Bank by enforcing emergency economic sanctions on Israel. This latest assault commenced last Sunday and was heightened yesterday when some 120 military vehicles, bulldozers and armoured jeeps entered the town, piled up rubble to block roads, besieged three hospitals and actively prevented Palestinian ambulances from approaching the hospitals. Many thousands of Palestinian civilians have been placed under curfew, schools and universities have been forced to close.

"Israeli occupying forces have killed and wounded Palestinian civilians and forced young Palestinians to act as their own human shields.

"The Irish people understand occupation. They are disgusted by the actions of Israel and by the failure of the international community to bring the Israeli occupation of Palestine to an end. As the representatives of a small country whose people empathise greatly with the suffering of the Palestinian people this government should take a stand on the side of right and justice. This government should set the right example and send the right message by lifting sanctions on Palestine and imposing them on Israel."

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BY TOPIC: Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions