The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is to seek an "immediate and effective" intervention by the Irish Government in the unfolding conflict in the Gaza Strip.
A meeting of the Congress Executive Council has agreed to seek the official intervention and to request an urgent meeting with the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore TD, on the issue.
Congress will call on the Government to condemn Israel's latest assault on the Gaza Strip, particularly the attacks on civilian targets and its breaches of both international human rights law and the Geneva Convention.
Congress General Secretary David Begg said: 'the conflict in Gaza is not a battle between equals. Gaza has no air force, no air defences, no standing army or any of the expertise and equipment possessed by Israeli forces. The 1.7 million people crammed into the Gaza Strip are subjected to both blockade and bombardment.
"Respected human rights sources – both in Israel and Palestine – clearly point to Israel as the instigator of this latest outbreak of conflict.
'the targeting of civilians can never be justified. We call on all parties to work urgently for a genuine ceasefire to prevent any further loss of life and for a genuine engagement from the international community to begin the forging of a just settlement that is the only real guarantor of lasting peace in the region."
