Ireland says urging full accountability over destruction in Gaza is not 'hostile act'

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The Irish foreign minister on Monday said that calling for accountability and cease-fire cannot be seen as "hostile acts towards Israel."

"Any action that the Irish government has taken in respect to the Middle Eastern issues, and particularly in terms of the war in Gaza, has not been motivated than anything other than respect for international humanitarian law, respect for human rights," Micheal Martin said in his doorstep speech ahead of the EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.

His remarks came in response to comments by Ireland’s Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder, who said Israel’s decision to close its embassy to Ireland was the result of the government’s "extreme hostility" to Israel.

On Sunday, Israel announced a decision to close its embassy in Dublin over what it called "the extreme anti-Israel policies."

Martin reminded that Ireland has consistently called for an immediate cease-fire, the release of all hostages, and a surge of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

"Recalling that recognizing a state of Palestine, which we did with Norway and Spain, and which other countries have done, is not a hostile act, and should not be seen as a hostile act," he added.

He went on to say that Dublin supported the utilization of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) where there can be international accountability for war crimes in any part of the world, including in Gaza.

Martin said it "should not be seen as a hostile act."

Last week, the foreign minister announced that Ireland will formally join South Africa's genocide case against Israel following government approval and will be asking the court to "broaden its interpretation" of what constitutes genocide.

"I find it very difficult to comprehend how those acts could be described as hostile acts. They're not hostile acts."

- 'Beyond any moral compass'

He noted that there has been huge anger on all streets across Europe over the killing of innocent men, women and children by Israel in Gaza since Oct. 7.

"What's happening in northern Gaza at the moment, for example, in my view, is beyond any moral compass," said Martin.

He called on Israel to open up Gaza to the international community and to allow the media to bear witness to what is happening.

"I have no doubt if that happened, that the world would be shocked in terms of the level of destruction that has occurred there," he added.

Martin also noted that Ireland, Spain, Norway, have taken "a lot of hostility," from Israel for their decision to recognize the Palestinian state.