Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has slammed Heather Humphreys for failing to recognise, or call out the role of the EU in facilitating Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Speaking after the Fine Gael presidential candidates speech on Friday, MEP Boylan said:
“It’s abundantly clear that the EU is complicit in Isreal’s genocide in Gaza, spending the last two years uttering weak words, while taking no actions to end, or even impede the genocide.
“EU Member States are actively arming Israel, from October 2023 – May 2025, Germany issued arms export licenses worth €485 million.
“The EU remains Israel’s largest trading partner for goods and services, accounting for 32% of Israel’s trade .
“The EU refused to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, despite clear grounds to do so, or to agree a single sanction against Israel.
“Ursula von Der Leyen, president of the European Commission, stood shoulder to shoulder with Benjamin Netanyahu, giving him the diplomatic cover necessary for this genocide.
“Heather Humphreys speech does not mention Gaza once, it does not reflect the very strong convictions of the majority of people here, who are appalled by what Israel has done without consequences.
“These so-called “gallant allies” are complicit in genocide, and their failure to act has left the EU’s international credibility on the floor.
“This failure to act has also undermined the entire idea of the EU itself being based on, and upholding international law, human rights and civil liberties for all.
“Our next president should be an unapologetic voice for both of these values. It’s clear that Heather Humphreys cannot be trusted to do this, and to represent the values and beliefs of the people of Ireland.”
