President Michael D Higgins has finally done something of note be declaring that international bodies, including the European Union, that remain “silent or allow their messages to have ambiguous construction” on the current conflict in the Middle East have a “responsibility to commit to vindicating international law”.
In a statement released on social media, Higgins hammered breaches of international law by both “State and non-State actors” while speaking about the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The President said that the “ongoing horrific loss of civilian life in Gaza and Israel has to be addressed”, and “should concern us all”.
“Violence by non-State as well as State actors must be described for what it is – breaches of international humanitarian law,” Mr Higgins said.
He said: “If international law is to be respected, it is important that hostages be released and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire be put in place.”
President Higgins said that “collective punishment” cannot be accepted and there must be a push for the independent verification of facts in relation to conflict.
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