An opposition TD has urged the Government to open a public investigation and issue economic sanctions against Israel in response to its actions against an aid flotilla to Gaza, which was intercepted in international waters near Greece last week.
People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger made the request during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil.
She told Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee the step is necessary after what she described as Israel's "criminal action".
The Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Greece last week. All but two of those on board who were detained, including seven Irish citizens, were subsequently released.
Deputy Coppinger said the interception occurred in international waters 1,000km away from Israel.
She said people are continuing to be detained in Israel, one flotilla member had "a gun put to his head" and another female flotilla member was "cable tied, man handled and left without food or water".
Deputy Coppinger said Israel has done this "in response to the inaction of Ireland and the EU" in addressing previous attacks on flotillas, asking Minister McEntee "when are you going to sanction Israel?"
Minister McEntee responded to the comments by saying Ireland has and continues to be an "advocate for the rights of Palestinian people and for a two-state solution", adding, "we need to advocate at a European level".
Deputy Coppinger separately raised the long-awaited Occupied Territories Bill, telling Minister McEntee "it must be exhausting in your role trying to come up with new excuses each time on the bill".
She said it has been eight years since the bill was first proposed, and that 350 lawyers have already signed a public statement saying it would meet legal scrutiny.
Deputy Coppinger said she believes the reason for the delay in the bill is because Ireland's economic system is "entwined" with capitalism and US multi-national companies.
However, Minister McEntee said the Government has given a "firm commitment" to implement the legislation, saying she and her coalition colleagues have been "very clear on that".
SF backs calls for FAI boycott of Israel v Ireland fixture
Sinn Féin has given its support to an open letter calling on the FAI to refuse to play Israel in the UEFA Nations League later this year.
A campaign by Irish Sport for Palestine, titled 'Stop the Game' was launched yesterday, with an open letter backed by high-profile figures in Irish soccer, including Shamrock Rovers captain Roberto Lopes, former Ireland manager Brian Kerr and 2019 FAI women's player of the year Louise Quinn.
Following on from the letter, Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan launched a new scarf, which she says football fans can use to show their opposition to the upcoming fixture.
She was flanked at the gates of Leinster House by several Sinn Féin TDs, including Louth TD Joanna Byrne who was removed from her position as co-chairperson of Drogheda United when she refused to resign over comments expressing opposition to the Ireland Israel match.
"We are calling on the FAI to do the right thing, we know the fans support boycotting the game and we want the FAI to endorse the fan's call for a boycott," Ms Boylan said.
"I hope the FAI will listen. The vote was taken at their general assembly overwhelmingly supporting a boycott of the game.
"It's now time to take a brave step. We've done it before when it came to the apartheid campaign in South Africa, Ireland led the way. They need to lead the way when on the boycott of this," she added.
Last night, Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North Naoise Ó Cearúil told RTÉ's The Late Debate that he "personally believed the match shouldn't go ahead", but added it was the responsibility of UEFA to decide on the fixture rather than the FAI or the Government.
Ms Boylan said Government ministers should listen to the Irish fanbase and and their respective party colleagues.
"I know certain ministers have said they don't support the boycott. I think they're out of step not only with the fanbase but also members of their political parties," she said.
Christy Moore, Fontaines DC and Kneecap are also among the 38 signatories of the open letter.
In February, FAI CEO David Courell said the Republic of Ireland have "no choice" but to fulfil their Nations League fixtures with Israel.
The FAI confirmed it would be fulfilling the fixtures, stressing that "serious consequences" would result from forfeiting the games, which would "materially harm the long-term sporting interests of Irish football".
Read more:
Israel extends detention of flotilla activists to weekend
Irish man abroad flotilla says he was 'treated badly'
President's sister on flotilla in her 'own right'
