Greens: Harris must seek EU sanctions for Israel

As the 2025 Global Ireland Summit took place in Dublin Castle, the tragedy in the Middle East continues to unfold, and the Green Party has called for action. On Monday, Israel declared that it would capture Gaza, and displace the majority of its population.

Green Party European Affairs Spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe said: 

“If Israel proceeds with its plan to expand the war in Gaza, and occupy more Palestinian land then it is time to invoke Article 27 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and Ireland must take the lead. The agreement allows for prohibitions or restrictions on imports, exports or goods in transit justified on grounds of the protection of health and life of humans.

“While Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris T.D. reflects on Ireland’s place in the world at the Global Ireland Summit today, it is time that he uses his influence at EU level to help stop the slaughter in the Middle East where 52,567 people have lost their lives in recent months, the vast majority at the hands of the Israeli army. 

“A concrete step forward from the Global Ireland Summit must be to work with his EU colleagues to ensure that Israel faces sanctions if it proceeds to annex more Palestinian land and displace the people of Palestine." 

Green Party Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Cllr. Janet Horner said: 

"It is clear that the Israeli government has every intention of escalating its assault on Gaza. The announcement of its intention to take Gaza territory under military control and displace the population of Gaza shows the abhorrent violations of international law are only escalating. The EU urgently needs to impose sanctions and Ireland has a vital voice to call for this."