Former Irish President Mary Robinson, chair of The Elders group of senior statesmen, has urged Ireland’s leaders to advocate for political responses rather than arms shipments and funds to Israel amid the escalating death toll in Gaza.
In an interview on RTE Radio, Mrs. Robinson directed her message to Irish Premier Leo Varadkar, calling on him to use his upcoming meetings with US President Joe Biden and other senior US officials to emphasize this stance.
She emphasized the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and urged Varadkar to convey to US leaders that their support, both militarily and financially, is enabling Israel’s actions, which she deemed as being on the wrong side of history.
Highlighting the role of the United States in providing arms and funds to Israel, Mrs. Robinson urged Varadkar to communicate that Israel’s dependency on US support could be pivotal in changing the situation.
She criticized the cessation of funding to the UN agency for Palestinian aid, UNRWA, following allegations by Israel, and stressed the need for a peaceful solution.
While Varadkar acknowledged after meeting with President Biden at the White House that he didn’t foresee the US halting arms shipments to Israel, he expressed concern about the current use of American weapons, stating they are not being employed in self-defense.
He emphasized the distinction between self-defense and the ongoing situation, calling for a move towards a ceasefire. Robinson’s appeal underscores the urgency for political intervention and highlights the potential influence of key stakeholders like the United States in addressing the crisis in Gaza.
