Trump triggered global outrage earlier this month when he proposed that the US would take over control of the Gaza Strip. Trump wanted to move its Palestinian inhabitants elsewhere permanently. It means that there will be no more Gaza and Palestine.
Sinn Fein party leader Mary Lou McDonald addressed the news conference about his travel to the US. She said she could not visit Washington “while there was a threat of mass expulsion hanging over the Palestinian people.” Ireland has been a vocal critic of Israel’s conduct during the conflict in Gaza. It is one of the staunchest defenders of the Palestinian cause within the European Union.
Ireland Supported Gaza and Palestine
Ireland has provided €20 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)—this humanitarian work in Gaza, the West Bank, and with Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Israel killed at least 47,540 people. More than 111,000 injured. The majority of whom were women and children. Ireland warmly welcomed the hostage release and ceasefire agreement in Gaza. It also has echoed calls for the return of all hostages to their families.
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland leaders usually travel to the US for the annual celebration, which coincides with Ireland’s national day on March 17. Sinn Fein’s decision not to visit places pressure on Prime Minister Micheal Martin, who is expected to proceed with meeting Trump at the White House.
Ireland rejects relocating Gazan.
Ireland rejected Israel’s suggestion that countries opposed to its actions in Gaza should take in displaced Palestinians. Ireland officially said any comments contrary to the safe return of Palestinians to their home are “unhelpful and a source of distraction.” In response to an Anadolu email, a spokesperson for the Irish Foreign Ministry reiterated the country’s position regarding the sustainability of the ceasefire in Gaza. The spokesperson also pointed out the need for a political process that delivers a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli Defense Minister Katz said nations such as Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others, which have made “false accusations and claims against Israel for their actions in Gaza,” are legally obliged to allow Gazans to enter their territory. The three countries recognized the state of Palestine last May. They also have criticized Israel’s war on the enclave.
Ireland has joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.
In a statement, the ICJ said that Ireland had joined the genocide case against Israel. Bolivia, Turkey, the Maldives, Chile, Spain, Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico, Libya, and the State of Palestine also support this case. South Africa first raised its case against Israel in December 2023. South Africa accuses Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
Since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza and Palestine in response, Irish politicians across the political spectrum and the public have expressed concern over what has been primarily viewed as a heavy-handed response. Israeli strikes have killed more than 50 thousand people in Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The visit of Ireland Officials to Washington and Trump should not take place.
Two reasons in particular are proffered. The first concerns Gaza and Palestine. Ireland has continually expressed rhetorical support for Palestine. Meanwhile, Israeli bombs and guns continued. Also, Gaza has experienced catastrophic bombardment over the last 18 months. Most of those weapons and armaments were supplied by the US.
US full support for Israel constitutes a betrayal of the Palestinian people and state. The failure to enact the Occupied Territories Bill suggests Ireland’s fear of Trump’s wrath won out over any normative commitment to the Palestinian cause. The second reason revolves around the nature of the new administration in Washington, DC. Ireland needs to examine and be clear-eyed about who and what we deal with in Trump 2.0.
Arab leaders plan for Gaza.
Arab leaders recently approved Egypt’s postwar plan for the Gaza Strip. It counters Trump’s plan to depopulate the territory and redevelop it as a beach destination. Arab leaders at a summit in Cairo endorsed The $53 billion (€49.6bn) plan. This plan would allow Gaza’s roughly 2 million Palestinians to remain in the Strip. “We welcome any proposals or ideas from the international community to ensure the success of this plan, which needs to be implemented side by side with a greater plan for peace,” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi stated.
The Arab proposal claims that it “aims for a comprehensive and just settlement of the Gaza and Palestine issue. “It also wants to end the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, guarantee the security and stability of the peoples of the region, and establish the Palestinian State,” el-Sisi added. Arabs expressed their willingness to collaborate with the US.
Israel Rejected Plan that recognized Palestinian territory
Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson for Israel’s foreign ministry, wrote in a post on X that the Egyptian plan “fails to address the realities of the situation”. He also said the summit’s joint communiqué does not mention or condemn the militant group and its October 7 October 7 2023 attack that sparked the war. Marmorstein instead reaffirmed Israel’s support for Trump’s plan to resettle Gaza’s population elsewhere. He described it as “an opportunity for the Gazans to have free choice based on their free will.”
In its initial response, the White House expressed appreciation for input from Arab nations but maintained that Hamas could not remain in power in Gaza and Palestine. “While the president upholds his bold vision for a post-war Gaza, he welcomes the insights of our Arab partners in the region,” the statement read. It’s clear his proposals have driven the region to come to the table rather than allow this issue to devolve into further crisis.” White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said. In the Arab-approved plan, Hamas would cede power to an interim administration of political independents until a reformed Palestinian Authority can assume control. However, Hughes said, “President Trump has been clear that Hamas cannot continue to govern Gaza.”
