Former President Robinson Voices ”Shame” Over EU Response to Gaza War
DUBLIN – Former Irish President Mary Robinson has publicly expressed her dismay adn “shame” regarding the European Union’s handling of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, specifically criticizing the continued operation of the EU-Israel trade deal despite widespread calls for suspension. Speaking on The Late Late Show, Robinson voiced frustration that the EU has not yet acted on European commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen’s stated position that the trade agreement shoudl be suspended.
“I feel a bit ashamed as an EU citizen that the EU that speaks about human rights, that talks the talk cannot bring itself” to suspend the deal, Robinson stated. She described the situation as “quite disturbing at this stage.”
Robinson further asserted that other nations are “complicit and not doing enough” in allowing what she characterized as a “deliberate famine” to unfold in Gaza. She attributed the lack of decisive action to ”a failure of political will,” citing the influence of former US President Donald Trump as a contributing factor.
The former president urged the use of all available pressure points to achieve a resolution, emphasizing the need to “stop the armaments entirely.” She specifically called on the United States to take a leading role in halting arms sales,while also suggesting european countries should follow suit,alongside a cessation of trade.
Robinson referenced the New York declaration at the UN General Assembly, which she said discussed “isolating two countries, the US and Israel as responsible for a famine and an unfolding genocide.” She questioned the legacy these nations would accept if found responsible for such outcomes. She believes increased isolation of the US could ultimately compel a shift in policy.
While strongly critical of the Israeli government, Robinson expressed sympathy for the Israeli people, describing the current governance as “an extremist government led by a bad Prime Minister.” She stated that Benjamin Netanyahu “doesn’t want to make peace,” and acknowledged the trauma experienced by Israelis following the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Despite the grim assessment, Robinson underscored the importance of humanitarian values, recalling her own experiences as President marking the memory of the Irish famine and her 1997 trip to Oklahoma to thank the Choctaw people for their aid during the 1847 famine. “That is the world we have to still believe in.The humanitarian values. We have it in our DNA,” she said.
Robinson also noted the widespread calls for peace and the existence of a peace process “on the table,” and highlighted the gratitude expressed by global leaders towards Ireland’s humanitarian efforts.
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