As the horror in Palestine continues, Irish civil society organisations and concerned Irish people are coming together to demand urgent government action. Across Palestine, people are facing starvation, daily bombardment, mass killings, forced displacement, settler violence, home demolitions, and the destruction of livelihoods. International attempts to stop these atrocities committed by Israel have been repeatedly blocked at the UN.

In response, a coalition of nations, the Hague Group, led by South Africa and Colombia, has pledged to take concrete steps to end complicity in genocide and uphold international law. Thirteen countries have already signed up.

A decisive deadline

With the 20 September deadline, marking the 80th UN General Assembly, Ireland has only a month to join them, and we need your help to make it happen.

Together with Afri, we will issue this Irish Civil Society Open Letter on 17 September, before the Hague Group sign-up deadline, to make it clear to TDs and Senators that Irish civil society and the Irish people demand action. By joining the Hague Group, Ireland would strengthen its reputation as a defender of international law and human rights, and take a practical step to help end impunity.

That means the time to act is now.

Why Ireland Must Act Now: A Call for Urgency

Every day, lives are being lost in Gaza while the international community hesitates. Ireland’s own history of colonisation, partition, and famine gives us a unique moral responsibility to stand in solidarity with people facing occupation and extermination. We welcome the Government’s attendance at the Hague Group summit, but attendance is not enough.

Ireland must now formally join the Group and commit to its six pledges by 20 September:

1. End arms transfers – Prevent the provision or transfer of arms, munitions, military fuel, related military equipment, and dual-use items to Israel.
2. Stop military transit – Prevent the transit, docking, and servicing of vessels where there is a clear risk that they are carrying military goods to Israel.
3. Enforce shipping controls – Deny carriage of such items by ships under national flags, and impose penalties, including de-flagging, for non-compliance.
4. Cut state support for occupation – Review all public contracts to ensure that state funds and institutions are not supporting Israel’s illegal occupation.
5. Pursue justice – Pursue national or international investigations and prosecutions for serious international crimes.
6. Enable domestic prosecutions – Support the use of international jurisdiction in domestic legal systems to enable prosecutions for crimes committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

One Month to Make a Difference

This is a decisive moment. By joining the Hague Group, Ireland can play a crucial role in ending complicity in genocide, upholding international law, and standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Civil society has a vital role in pressing our leaders to act with courage and urgency.

Together, Irish civil society and the Irish public can send a message our government cannot ignore.

Join us. Sign today. Speak out. Ireland must join the Hague Group urgently to ensure Ireland is on the right side of history.