Tánaiste criticises Sinn Féin’s response to Hamas attack on Israeli civilians

Sinn Féin’s response to the mass killings by Hamas of Israeli civilians has been criticised by Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who accused the party of not believing in “basic values”.

On the day of the attack Sinn Féin’s foreign affairs spokesman Matt Carthy in a statement said there was no justification for the killing of civilians on any side. Other prominent Sinn Féin representatives posted on social media in the immediate aftermath but did not make direct reference to the Hamas attack while criticising Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

Party leader Mary Lou McDonald condemned the Hamas attack “outright” last Monday, two days after it occurred. She told RTÉ: “The targeting of civilians and the taking of hostages is to be condemned outright” and also said: “Looking at scenes where a lot of young people were out, enjoying themselves, to me it was such a violent and traumatic death.”

Mr Martin used a speech at Fianna Fáil’s annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration to criticise Sinn Féin’s response.

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He said: “The people of Ireland have seen the events in the Middle East over the past week and shared the reaction of most people in the world – shock and sadness.”

He added that the “savage acts committed by Hamas” were not the targeting of a military enemy, that “they knew that they were indiscriminately killing civilians, they knew what they were doing when they decided to murder and kidnap young children”.

In remarks which Mr Martin later confirmed referred to Sinn Féin he said: “If you cannot condemn this without a lengthy delay and without adding in weasel words about equivalence, all it does is prove that you do not actually believe in basic values.”

Mr Martin said: “As a party [Fianna Fáil] and as a part of a multiparty Government I am proud that we have been consistent in speaking up for humanitarian values for international law, against terrorism and against the medieval sectarianism at the core of Hamas’ behaviour.”

Sinn Féin TD Mr Carthy responded to Mr Martin’s remarks saying: “All parties condemn the actions of Hamas, have spoken out against the illegal actions of Israel and support the upholding of international law.

“There has been a great deal of consensus across the Dáil on the issues facing the Middle East for many years. The Government have accepted a number of our motions in the Oireachtas relating to Palestine. We are focused on continuing to build that consensus, reflective of the views of wider society who want to see international law upheld.”

He added: “I expect Micheál Martin to adopt the same approach. That is the best way to support a lasting peace.”