The Catholic primate of Ireland has urged the international community to consider whether war crimes are being committed by Israel in Gaza.
In his new year’s message, which coincides with January 1 World Day of Peace, Archbishop Eamon Martin said international humanitarian law is clear that the use of violence must be proportionate in a war situation and not include the deliberate destruction of infrastructure “essential for the protection of human life and dignity”.
The bishop was speaking as the death toll of mostly women and children arising from Israel’s 12-week campaign of indiscriminate bombing in Gaza passed 21,300.
“The international community must urgently ask if war crimes have been committed, or are currently being committed, with the constant and seemingly merciless bombardment of civilian populations, including defenceless woman and children; with the effective blocking of avenues to proper humanitarian support for the essentials of life like water, sanitation, food and fuel and apparent of access to essential healthcare and to measures for controlling the spread of hunger and disease,” the archbishop said.
“International humanitarian law is clear in that the use of lethal weapons in any war situation must not be disproportionate nor lead to the wholesale destruction of crucial infrastructure that is essential for the protection of human life and dignity.”
The primate offered prayers for Ireland’s Defence Forces based in southern Lebanon, who he said were “doing their best to prevent this conflict from spreading”.
“Equally, at home and on an international level, Ireland’s leaders and others with influence should not be reticent in raising the cause of peace internationally in the European Union, as well as with the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom,” he said.