Ireland is actively considering taking part in an aid drop to Gaza along with Jordan, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said.
He made the comments in response to a question in the Dáil from Independent TD Cathal Berry.
Deputy Berry said it would be far preferable that there be a permanent ceasefire, but while negotiations are ongoing, an aid drop should be examined by Ireland.
He said if Ireland expels the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, the same will happen with the Irish ambassador to Israel.
Deputy Berry said that the only consequences of Ireland involving itself in a humanitarian airdrop is that “women and children will be fed”.
He also said it would send a very powerful message to the Israeli Knesset as well.
The Kildare South TD asked the Tánaiste if media reports were true that Ireland was considering taking part in such a humanitarian aid drop and whether Ireland had the capacity to do so.
Mr Martin said he agreed with much of what Deputy Berry said and confirmed that Ireland was very much exploring the possibility of Ireland contributing to this multinational effort.
The Tánaiste said he had spoken to his foreign affairs counterpart in Jordan, which was coordinating the humanitarian aid drop.
“What is important is that should not distract from Israel’s obligations”, Minister Martin said, adding that Israel must open Gaza to allow far more trucks to get in on the ground.
He said you do not get the same volume of aid in when it is parachuted in, and access can be difficult also.
On the capability question, Minister Martin said new aircraft would be able to assist with pallet drops.
‘Political points’
Mr Martin also accused the Social Democrats of trying to score political points from the crisis in Gaza.
During Leaders Questions, he accused Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns of trying to appear more virtuous than others.
It followed criticism from Ms Cairns, who accused the Government of using empty words.
She called on the Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill, recognise the State of Palestine and issue travel bans to violent Israeli settlers including those in the Israeli Government.
Ms Cairns also criticised Germany for exporting arms to Israel, telling the Dáil that nearly 30% of Israel’s total military imports came from Germany.
Mr Martin told Ms Cairns that he believed that the best time to recognise the state of Palestine was following the publication of the Arab Peace Initiative and also in conjunction with other EU countries.
The Tánaiste told TDs that he agreed with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, who said that countries should stop sending arms to Israel if they want the conflict to end.
Mr Martin accused Israel of being reckless with its own allies, the region and the lives of ordinary Gazans.
“Absolutely reckless in allowing what’s happening on a daily basis”, he said.
He expressed hope that a ceasefire would be reached.
Additional reporting Tommy Meskill
