Mary Robinson says Israel has to be sanctioned amid an 'unfolding genocide', following a visit to Egypt and the border with the Gaza Strip.
Former president Robinson spoke to Newstalk Breakfast about what she saw on the trip, as aid trucks attempted entry into an area where famine is rife due to Israel preventing the entry of food an medicine.
“It was certainly very emotional at the border itself because it was so silent.
"Trucks went in very early in the morning and we saw two trucks for the twenty minutes we were there, full of medicines and food piled up - [and they were] refused.
“There [are] stocks piled up of wheelchairs, crutches, oxygen, generators - all the life-saving things that are needed, and they can’t get in."
Mary Robinson on Gaza
Ms Robinson spoke to United Nations representatives on the ground.
“The UN told us that out of 1,000 trucks during July that they had ready to go in, 70% were turned back.
“They [Gazans] are not able to get these food and medicines that are ready and available - and that’s the shocking part.”
“It’s deliberate - a human-induced famine."
Ms. Robinson is pleading for countries to take a stronger stance against Israel in order to improve the lot of the people in Gaza.
“There should be no transfer of arms and weapons of components to Israel - that must be suspended immediately. There should be targeted sanctions, we want sanctions on Netanyahu and his whole security council.
“Why are we giving preferential trade to Israel, when the Israeli government is committing famine and an unfolding genocide?
“There is momentum, we have seen that Germany has suspended its arms.
"We see more and more countries recognising [the situation] - and we fully understand that recognising doesn’t stop a famine - but it does create political momentum."
Ms. Robinson was asked about whether the Occupied Territories Bill in Ireland could help.
“I’m not going to comment on that; it's a little bit political so I think it’s better not to comment.
“But I would urge Ireland to put heavy pressure for a two-thirds majority—apparently, we’re quite close to it.”
However, she thinks that there are alternative methods to sanctioning Israel :
“Article 2 on preferential trade is far more significant for Israel than any trade with the occupied territories.
“Ireland has big trade with Israel, and that’s the preferential trade”.
Ms. Robinson was asked if she has any optimism for the ongoing situation.
“[Israel] would listen to one man, they would listen to President Trump—he could stop it very quickly.
"He could say 'no more arms' and to open all the border crossings, and that he wants the hostages released.
“We could stop this famine tomorrow - and I think President Trump has a huge responsibility because he is complicit in what is happening.”
Written by Cara McHugh
