Former president Mary Robinson has expressed feeling “ashamed” of the European Union’s response to Israel’s actions in the Gaza conflict, reports RTE.
“I feel a bit ashamed as an EU citizen that the EU that speaks about human rights, that talks the talk cannot bring itself,” she said, describing her disappointment over the EU’s failure to suspend its trade agreement with Israel, reports RTE.
Appearing on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show, Ms Robinson pointed out that although European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has advocated for the suspension, “we still haven’t got there”.
“It is quite disturbing at this stage,” she added, reports RTE.
Ms Robinson criticised other nations for being “complicit and not doing enough” as a “deliberate famine” unfolds.
Calling the situation “a failure of political will”, she cited former US President Donald Trump’s influence.
“It is on the table to have a resolution,” the former president said, urging that all possible measures be utilised, reports RTE.
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“The real levers are to stop the armaments completely. And, of course, the United States would be the big country that could do that. But some European countries should also stop the armaments and also the trade,” she said, reports RTE.
She mentioned the New York declaration at the UN General Assembly, highlighting the focus on “isolating two countries, the US and Israel, as responsible for a famine and an unfolding genocide”.
“Is that the legacy that people want in those countries?” she said, reports RTE.
She added that increasing US isolation could force a change: “we have to move on this”.
“I feel very sorry in many ways for the people of Israel,” she said, reports RTE.
“It is an extremist government led by a bad Prime Minister. Netanyahu doesn’t want to make peace. It is a very sad situation because the Israeli people are very traumatised by the terrible attacks of 7 October 2023,” Ms Robinson said, reports RTE.
She said that many Israelis are calling for peace and stressed that a peace process is already available.
While speaking about the famine in Gaza, Ms Robinson also reflected on the need to support those most in need, reports RTE.
She recalled commemorating Ireland’s famine during her presidency, and her 1997 visit to Oklahoma to thank the Choctaw Nation for their 1847 donation to Irish famine victims.
“That is the world we have to still believe in. The humanitarian values. We have it in our DNA,” Ms Robinson said, reports RTE.
The former president said global leaders often express their appreciation for Ireland’s stance, and that she feels proud of the country’s actions.
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