'Utterly shameful': Irish MEPs slam EU offer to assist Israel in replacing Gaza aid agencies
On Wednesday evening, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said she had offered Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar EU assistance with his government's proposal to take over the distribution of aid in the besieged Palestinian territory, where Israel has imposed a complete blockade since early March.
Since then, no food, water or medical supplies have entered Gaza and Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the siege is 'clearly a war crime' and that Israel's war 'has lost any moral compass'.
'I offered also help by the European Union to distribute the humanitarian aid if they don't trust the other actors there,' Kallas
told journalists at a meeting
of EU foreign ministers in Warsaw.
Kallas apparently contradicted
her own statement issued on Wednesday
, which raised concerns about the Israeli proposal, saying it 'runs counter to humanitarian principles, as underlined by UN agencies and humanitarian partners'.
The Journal
understands that Kallas made the offer without consulting her colleagues and that her remarks do not reflect the EU's official position.
Irish MEPs spoke to
The Journal
and expressed concern about Kallas' offer of EU assistance.
'Rather than offering to assist in their plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza, the EU should be imposing the most severe sanctions on Israel, and leading calls for a permanent ceasefire,' said Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan.
Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews said: 'Israel's current proposal to bypass and undermine established humanitarian actors and take direct control of aid distribution is deeply alarming.'
Both MEPs said assisting Israel in taking over aid distribution would go against core humanitarian principles and undermine the work of the United Nations.
Kallas made her comments on the same day that UN agencies condemned Israel's plan to take over aid distribution.
Displaced Palestinians by makeshift tents outside an UNRWA-run clinic west of Gaza City
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
A spokesperson for the UN's aid coordination office, OCHA, said it 'appears to be a deliberate attempt to weaponise the aid and we have warned against that for a very long time'.
Amnesty International told
The Journal
'the EU must unequivocally reject' the plan and ensure the bloc 'is not complicit in Israel's genocide, whether directly or indirectly'.
There are 15 UN agencies operating in Gaza – including the likes of UNRWA, UNICEF and the World Food Programme – alongside roughly 200 NGOs.
Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Advertisement
'Beyond belief'
According to Lynn Boylan, Kallas' offer of EU participation in the Israeli plan undermines the United Nations agencies working in Gaza.
'Kaja Kallas' comments around finding an 'alternative' to UNRWA are utterly shameful and a complete betrayal of international law,' Boylan told
The Journal
.
'Instead of undermining the work of UNRWA, Ms Kallas should focus on who is responsible for blocking humanitarian aid from entering Gaza at every opportunity,' Boylan said.
It is truly beyond belief to make this offer mere days after Israel announced their intention to indefinitely occupy Gaza.
Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews told
The Journal
that the EU has a duty to ensure that aid is delivered 'according to the core humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence, and humanity'.
Aligning with Israel's proposed model would not only go against what we stand for, it would also set a dangerous global precedent.
'It is of the utmost importance that aid remains separate from politicisation, militarisation and weaponisation.'
MEPs Lynn Boylan and Barry Andrews
Alamy
Alamy
He also said that normalising 'the politicisation and instrumentalisation' of humanitarian aid would blur the lines between civilian and military roles.
'Fragmenting the humanitarian response system not only risks the lives of those on the ground, but also severely damages the legitimacy and effectiveness of aid delivery.'
Boylan said that Israel has 'forced supplies to rot at the border, attacked aid vessels in international waters and tried to cover up their murder of aid workers'.
'Offering to assist Israel in taking over 'the distribution of aid' in the Gaza Strip is handing them total power to weaponise starvation and deprivation.'
Ireland and a number of other EU member states have consistently voiced support for UN agencies working in Gaza, particularly UNRWA, while the Israeli government has levelled attacks at the UN throughout the conflict.
The Israeli parliament voted to ban UNRWA from operating in Israel in January of this year after accusing the organisation of being staffed by members of Hamas.
Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu told the General Assembly last year that the UN was an 'antisemitic swamp' while Israeli officials have also taken aim at the UN's International Court of Justice, where the country stands accused of committing genocide against the people of Gaza.
Netanyahu himself is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Earlier this week, a group of more than 20 UN experts said countries were at a moral crossroads over their response to Israel's escalation of hostilities and ongoing siege of Gaza.
States face a choice between acting to halt the violence and looking on at 'the annihilation of the Palestinian population' in the territory, the experts said.
'The decision is stark: remain passive and witness the slaughter of innocents or take part in crafting a just resolution,' they said in a statement, urging the world to avert the 'moral abyss we are descending into'.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
US says it is close to agreements on several trade deals
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that the US is close to reaching agreements on several trade deals ahead of this Wednesday's deadline when higher tariffs were due to kick in. Mr Bessent predicted several big announcements in coming days. He told CNN's "State of the Union" program that the Trump administration would also send out letters to 100 smaller countries with whom the US does not have much trade, notifying them that they would face higher tariff rates first set on 2 April and then suspended until 9 July. Those tariffs will kick in on 1 August if trading partners do not strike deals with the US "President Trump's going to be sending letters to some of our trading partners saying that, if you don't move things along, then on August 1, you will boomerang back to your April 2 tariff level. So I think we're going to see a lot of deals very quickly," Mr Bessent said. Meanwhile, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke has said the "best case" scenario in the EU-US trade talks is that a political framework can be delivered on Tuesday evening. The minister said that would then create a pathway for further negotiation. "Obviously, there are number of areas that the EU are looking for, zero for zero carve outs and favoured nation status," he told RTÉ's The Week In Politics. "These centre on aviation, life science, semiconductors and spirits. "But all those areas are under challenge, aviation is getting a lot of traction as far as I understand, with the US administration," he said. BRICS nations voice 'serious concerns' over Trump tariffs BRICS leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro are expected to decry Mr Trump's "indiscriminate" trade tariffs, saying they are illegal and risk hurting the global economy. Emerging nations, which represent about half the world's population and 40% of global economic output, have united over "serious concerns" about US import tariffs, according to a draft summit statement obtained by AFP. Since coming to office in January, Mr Trump has threatened allies and rivals alike with a slew of punitive duties. His latest salvo comes in the form of letters informing trading partners of new tariff rates that will soon enter into force. The draft summit declaration does not mention the United States or its president by name, and could yet be amended by leaders gathering for talks today and tomorrow. But it is a clear political shot directed at the US from 11 emerging nations, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. "We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules," the draft text says. It warns that such measures "threaten to further reduce global trade" and are "affecting the prospects for global economic development." Xi no show Conceived two decades ago as a forum for fast-growing economies, the BRICS have come to be seen as a Chinese-driven counterbalance to Western power. But the summit's political punch will be depleted by the absence of China's Xi Jinping, who is skipping the annual meeting for the first time in his 12 years as president. That absence has prompted fevered speculation in some quarters. "The simplest explanation may hold the most explanatory power. Xi recently hosted Lula in Beijing," said Ryan Hass, a former China director at the US National Security Council who is now with the Brookings Institution think tank. The Chinese leader will not be the only notable absentee. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also opting to stay away, but will participate via video link, according to the Kremlin. Mr Xi's no-show is a blow to host President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who wants Brazil to play a bigger role on the world stage. In the year to November 2025, Brazil will have hosted a G20 summit, a BRICS summit, and COP30 international climate talks, all before heading into fiercely contested presidential elections next year, in which he is expected to run. Mr Lula warmly welcomed leaders and dignitaries yesterday, including China's Premier Li Qiang, as the president hosted a pre-summit business forum in Rio. "Faced with the resurgence of protectionism, it is up to emerging countries to defend the multilateral trade regime and reform the international financial architecture," Mr Lula told the event. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose nation is still reeling from a 12-day conflict with Israel, is also skipping the meeting and will be represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. A source familiar with the negotiations said Iran had sought a tougher condemnation of Israel and the United States over their recent bombing of Iranian military, nuclear and other sites. But one diplomatic source said the text would give the "same message" that BRICS delivered last month. Then Iran's allies expressed "grave concern" about strikes against Iran, but did not explicitly mention Israel or the United States. Artificial intelligence and health will also be on the agenda at the summit. Original members of the bloc Brazil, Russia, India, and China have been joined by South Africa and, more recently, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia.
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Political framework in EU-US trade talks 'best case' scenario
Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke has said the "best case" scenario in the EU-US trade talks is that a political framework can be delivered on Tuesday evening. The minister said that would then create a pathway for further negotiation. "Obviously, there are number of areas that the EU are looking for, zero for zero carve outs and favoured nation status," he told RTÉ's The Week In Politics. "These centre on aviation, life science, semiconductors and spirits. "But all those areas are under challenge, aviation is getting a lot of traction as far as I understand, with the US administration," he said. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that the US is close to reaching agreements on several trade deals ahead of this Wednesday's deadline when higher tariffs kick in. Mr Bessent predicted several big announcements in coming days. He told CNN's "State of the Union" program that the Trump administration would also send out letters to 100 smaller countries with whom the US does not have much trade, notifying them that they would face higher tariff rates first set on 2 April and then suspended until 9 July. "President Trump's going to be sending letters to some of our trading partners saying that, if you don't move things along, then on August 1, you will boomerang back to your April 2 tariff level. So I think we're going to see a lot of deals very quickly," Mr Bessent said. BRICS nations voice 'serious concerns' over Trump tariffs BRICS leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro are expected to decry Mr Trump's "indiscriminate" trade tariffs, saying they are illegal and risk hurting the global economy. Emerging nations, which represent about half the world's population and 40% of global economic output, have united over "serious concerns" about US import tariffs, according to a draft summit statement obtained by AFP. Since coming to office in January, Mr Trump has threatened allies and rivals alike with a slew of punitive duties. His latest salvo comes in the form of letters informing trading partners of new tariff rates that will soon enter into force. The draft summit declaration does not mention the United States or its president by name, and could yet be amended by leaders gathering for talks today and tomorrow. But it is a clear political shot directed at the US from 11 emerging nations, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. "We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules," the draft text says. It warns that such measures "threaten to further reduce global trade" and are "affecting the prospects for global economic development." Xi no show Conceived two decades ago as a forum for fast-growing economies, the BRICS have come to be seen as a Chinese-driven counterbalance to Western power. But the summit's political punch will be depleted by the absence of China's Xi Jinping, who is skipping the annual meeting for the first time in his 12 years as president. That absence has prompted fevered speculation in some quarters. "The simplest explanation may hold the most explanatory power. Xi recently hosted Lula in Beijing," said Ryan Hass, a former China director at the US National Security Council who is now with the Brookings Institution think tank. The Chinese leader will not be the only notable absentee. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also opting to stay away, but will participate via video link, according to the Kremlin. Mr Xi's no-show is a blow to host President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who wants Brazil to play a bigger role on the world stage. In the year to November 2025, Brazil will have hosted a G20 summit, a BRICS summit, and COP30 international climate talks, all before heading into fiercely contested presidential elections next year, in which he is expected to run. Mr Lula warmly welcomed leaders and dignitaries yesterday, including China's Premier Li Qiang, as the president hosted a pre-summit business forum in Rio. "Faced with the resurgence of protectionism, it is up to emerging countries to defend the multilateral trade regime and reform the international financial architecture," Mr Lula told the event. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose nation is still reeling from a 12-day conflict with Israel, is also skipping the meeting and will be represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. A source familiar with the negotiations said Iran had sought a tougher condemnation of Israel and the United States over their recent bombing of Iranian military, nuclear and other sites. But one diplomatic source said the text would give the "same message" that BRICS delivered last month. Then Iran's allies expressed "grave concern" about strikes against Iran, but did not explicitly mention Israel or the United States. Artificial intelligence and health will also be on the agenda at the summit. Original members of the bloc Brazil, Russia, India, and China have been joined by South Africa and, more recently, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia.
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Israeli air strikes kill 33 Palestinians in Gaza as Netanyahu prepares to fly to Washington
AT LEAST 33 PALESTINIANS in Gaza have been killed in Israeli air strikes, hospital officials said, as Israel's military said it had struck more than 100 targets in the embattled enclave in the past day. The fighting came as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was preparing to fly to Washington for talks at the White House aimed at pushing forward ceasefire efforts. US president Donald Trump has floated a plan for an initial 60-day ceasefire that would include a partial release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for an increase in humanitarian supplies allowed into Gaza. The proposed truce calls for talks on ending the 21-month war altogether. Some 20 people were killed and 25 wounded after Israeli strikes hit two houses in Gaza City, according to Mohammed Abu Selmia, the director of Shifa Hospital that services the area. In southern Gaza, 13 Palestinians were killed by strikes in Muwasi, an area on Gaza's Mediterranean where many displaced people live in tents, officials at Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis told The Associated Press. Five of the dead belonged to the same family, according to the hospital. Advertisement Smoke from an Israeli bombardment rises over the Gaza Strip, seen from southern Israel today. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The Israeli military made no immediate comment on the individual strikes, but said it had struck 130 targets across the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours. It said the strikes targeted Hamas command and control structures, storage facilities, weapons and launchers, and that they had killed a number of militants in northern Gaza. The ministry, which is under Gaza's Hamas government, does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The UN and other international organisations see its figures as the most reliable statistics on war casualties. The strikes occur as efforts to reach a ceasefire deal appeared to gain momentum. Netanyahu's office said his government would send a negotiating team to Qatar on Sunday to conduct indirect talks, adding that Hamas was seeking 'unacceptable' changes to the proposal. The planned talks in Qatar come ahead of Netanyahu's scheduled visit to Washington on Monday to meet Trump to discuss the deal. It is unclear if an agreement will be reached ahead of the Israeli prime minister's White House meeting. Hamas has sought guarantees that the initial truce would lead to a total end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Previous negotiations have stalled over Hamas demands of guarantees that further negotiations would lead to the war's end, while Netanyahu has insisted Israel would resume fighting to ensure the militant group's destruction.
