Tánaiste Simon Harris has voiced his support for the idea of a national day of solidarity in Ireland to show support for the people of Gaza, reports Breaking News.
The Fine Gael leader described the proposal as a “sensible and a good idea”, stating he plans to discuss it further with colleagues to explore how it might be organised.
His comments came in response to a letter by Michael Cush, published in The Irish Times letters page on Thursday, reports Breaking News.
In the letter, Cush commended the Government for being “brave and consistent” in its stance condemning the atrocities and Israel’s military actions in Gaza, but said there is growing “frustration” among the Irish public.
He explained that many people feel powerless to stop the suffering, reports Breaking News.
“If the Government were to call a national day of protest, making clear that it was a condemnation of atrocities in Gaza, not of Israel’s right to self-determination or self-defence, the turnout would likely be enormous,” the letter added, reports Breaking News.
“Other nations might follow suit. Some good might be achieved. At the very least, Ireland and the Irish people would have done the right thing and could not be accused of standing idly by.”
Mr Harris, sharing an image of the letter on his Instagram, said the Irish public stands in solidarity with Palestinians, reports Breaking News.
“We stand for human rights, for international law, for a two state solution, for aid to flow, for hostages to be released. We stand for peace. We stand for an end to genocide,” he added, reports Breaking News.
“The suggestion for a national day or moment of solidarity made by Michael Cush in the letter is sensible and a good idea. It could be powerful if many countries did it together. I will now talk to colleagues on how to make this happen,” reports Breaking News.
According to the United Nations and other experts, Gaza’s population is at significant risk of famine, with the World Food Programme (WFP) reporting that nearly a third of people there are going entire days without food.
The WFP also noted that the humanitarian crisis has escalated to “astonishing levels of desperation”, reports Breaking News.
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