Speaking during an Urgent Question to the UK Foreign Minister on the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP condemned Israel’s repeated and blatant disregard for the rule of law and the international community, including the targeting of Irish UN peacekeepers.

South Belfast and Mid Down MP Ms Hanna said:

“People have watched on in horror while tens of thousands of civilians have been killed in Gaza, with the IDF regarding hospitals, schools, churches and tents as legitimate targets.

“As Israel intensifies its ground assault in Lebanon we can have no confidence of a change in approach. This includes the targeting of UN peacekeepers including the 380 Irish troops who have served in Lebanon since 1978 and who are now threatened and intimidated by the IDF, with armaments aimed directly at young Irish soldiers who have acted as human shields for innocent Lebanese civilians threatened by IDF and Hezbollah alike.

“The IDF has repeatedly and consistently broken international law, including on armed conflict. The UK government have sanctions relation to arms, trade and officials at their disposal. They have been deployed against Russia and they must be deployed in Israel.

“It is clear that Israel is not serious about achieving a ceasefire in the region; they are not interested in political or diplomatic solutions and there must be an international response."