Taoiseach Micheál Martin addressed the Plenary meeting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg today (7 July).
In his address, he called on the EU to do more to support peace in the Middle East. “The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The situation in the West Bank is deteriorating. The behaviour of the Netanyahu government is increasingly extreme,” he said according to the Journal.
“There are no democratic or humanitarian values which are flexible enough to justify the scale of death, destruction and displacement we have seen. It is a cause of deep and justified sadness and anger to many that Europe has not done enough to put pressure on Israel in the light of its egregious actions," Martin continued.
Martin acknowledged that it is a "difficult topic for many countries" and is challenging many "long-established connections and policies. But we simply must do more."
Elsewhere in his speech, he outlined Ireland's priorities for the EU presidency that began last week. He also used his speech to speak on the benefits membership has had on Irish people.
The Taoiseach's speech comes ahead of a debate in the European Parliament that is set to take place today. They are aiming to deabte on a resolution to adopt the 2025 European Commission Report on Ukraine.
MEP's will vote later this week on whether to include an amendment to the resolution to adopt the 2025 European Commission Report on Ukraine.
Reports have suggested that the vote will be non-binding, however it is likely that this will put more pressure on Ireland to address the situation with Aughinish Alumina.
Last week, Martin said that Ukraine could join the EU and suggests that it could be settled before the end of the war. This news came as Ukrainian president, Voldymyr Zelenksy arrives in Ireland ahead of the launch of Ireland's six month EU presidency.
