Greystones Councillor Issues Open Letter to Simon Harris Calling For Stand On Human Rights On Gaza

People in Wicklow are being encouraged to attend a vigil next month in Greystones in solidarity with people suffering in Gaza after Social democrats member Mark Barry urges action

A councillor in Greystones has issued an open letter to the Tanaiste, Wicklow TD Simon Harris calling on the Fine Gael leader take a stand on human rights on Gaza.

Mark Barry has urged Minister Harris to ask the Central Bank to cease the sale of Israeli war bonds and to enact the Occupied Territories Bill immediately.

Councillor Barry presided over a vigil in Greystones for those suffering in Gaza last week. He says the Irish government has the influence to affect positive change:

''I am writing to you not only as a Wicklow Councillor, but as one of your constituents who has stood shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of local people calling for justice for Palestine.

Last week, 300 people gathered in Greystones for a candlelight vigil. On the 18th of September, over 2,000 people will descend on our town in peaceful solidarity with the people of Palestine. These are Wicklow voters—your constituents—who are united in demanding that Ireland take a stand for justice, human rights, and international law.

Tánaiste, you have the power and the responsibility to act. I urge you to:

To ask the Central Bank of Ireland to immediately cease the sale of Israeli war bonds.

Enact in full the Occupied Territories Bill, reflecting the clear will of the Irish people and the Oireachtas.

The world is watching as innocent men, women, and children are murdered with bombs and starvation every day. What we are witnessing is the genocide of a people, which the Goverment has recognised and yet have yet to do something meaningful that reflects the urgency of the situation. In moments like this, small nations like Ireland must show moral courage. Our own history of oppression and struggle for freedom obliges us to stand with those facing the same today.

The world is watching as innocent men, women, and children are murdered every day. What we are witnessing is the genocide of a people. This is not only about Palestine it is about the humanitarian rights of all people in the world. If we fail to act when such rights are stripped away, then we weaken them everywhere. Ireland, especially in the face of our history, must show that human dignity, freedom, and the right to live in peace are universal and must be defended without exception.

Simon, we may represent different political parties, but on this issue I appeal to you as a fellow Wicklow public representative. True leadership requires not silence, but action. The people of Wicklow are calling on you to lead.

You hold this power in your hands.''