Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Over a 24-hour period in November last year, eight days after the Globemaster aircraft passed through Shannon Airport on its way to Tel Aviv, probably with its military cargo of bombs and drones, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza that flattened multiple civilian buildings and caused absolute havoc. Given the war crimes being committed by the Israeli military and government against Palestinians, why is the Government allowing Shannon to be used by a military transport aircraft flying to Tel Aviv? Is the Minister of State not concerned that his Defence Forces personnel, who have other tasks to do, are tied up guarding that aircraft, which is potentially complicit in carrying out Israeli war crimes? Did our Defence Forces provide aid to the civil power for the aircraft on the day in question? For how many more airplanes en routeto commit more crimes around the world, whether in Israel, Yemen or Afghanistan, were we providing cover in 2018? Does the Minister of State not believe 2019 is the year to start a change in this regard?

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