A delegation of Israeli activists visiting Dublin has called on the Irish Government to take decisive steps to hold Israel accountable for its actions. Among them is a former IDF soldier turned activist who expressed concerns about the destruction of Gaza becoming a deliberate objective.

Christian Aid and Trocaire recently hosted a visit from B’Tselem and Breaking the Silence, two Israeli organizations documenting human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories. Sarit Michaeli and Nasser Nawaj’ah, members of B’Tselem, emphasized the need for international action to address the ongoing crisis.

Ms. Michaeli highlighted Israel's commitment to deepening its control over Palestinians, citing the principle of Jewish supremacy as a driving force behind Israeli policies. She commended Ireland for its efforts so far but stressed the urgency for deeper commitment and concrete measures to address the violations on the ground.

She called on all EU member states to intervene and implement measures outlined by the International Court of Justice. The Irish Government's plan to ban trade with Israeli settlements based on the ICJ advisory opinion was noted, although concerns were raised about the exclusion of trade in services from the ban.

Ms. Michaeli criticized the EU's response as inadequate, urging a more robust approach to address the escalating crisis. Joel Carmel, a former IDF soldier with Breaking the Silence, shared insights into the realities of the occupation and the need for internal and international action to bring about change.

Mr. Nawaj’ah, a Palestinian human rights defender, highlighted the increasing settler violence in the West Bank and the urgent need for intervention to prevent further annexation and displacement. The activists emphasized the importance of Ireland's role in advocating for justice and accountability in the region.