Ireland’s PM calls for review of EU-Israel trade ties after Gaza flotilla confrontation

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said on Wednesday that he would consult with other European countries on possible steps to review trade relations with Israel under the EU–Israel Association Agreement.

His remarks came amid international condemnation and criticism within Israel over National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s handling of Gaza flotilla activists.

“It’s no longer tenable that it would be business as usual with Israel, given its scant regard for European Union citizens,” Martin said. “The right to protest is a sacred one, within any democracy. The flotilla was in international waters and people were essentially abducted by the Israeli government on the high seas.”

Martin blasted Ben Gvir for what he called his “disgusting” and “disgraceful” behavior, saying, “It’s a blight on the Israeli government and other European leaders are likewise calling this out.”

The sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly was among more than a dozen Irish citizens on board the flotilla, who were subsequently detained in Israel. Connolly said she was “very proud” of her sister, Margaret, but “very worried” for her welfare. Margaret had pre-recorded a “kidnapped” video in preparation for the anticipated interception of the flotilla by Israel.

“If you are watching this video, it means I have been kidnapped from my boat in the flotilla by the Israeli occupying forces, and I’m now being held illegally in an Israeli prison,” Margaret said, holding her Irish passport and wearing a shirt with a map of Ireland. “Palestine’s struggle is the moral compass of our time. It is what makes us human. The Palestinians will save our humanity.”

Earlier this week, Israel intercepted more than 50 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including 430 activists who were transferred to Israel to meet consular representatives before deportation. The Israeli Foreign Ministry described the flotilla as “a PR stunt at the service of Hamas.”

The Irish prime minister’s remarks against Israel came just days after RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster, refused to air Saturday night’s Eurovision final to protest Israel’s participation in the song contest. Ireland, alongside Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Slovenia, boycotted this year's Eurovision competition.

Irish Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder criticized RTÉ for its decision to escalate the boycott, stating, “A national broadcaster has a responsibility to maintain impartiality and reflect the diversity of public opinion, rather than align itself with a particular political posture.”

Since the Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, relations between Ireland and Israel have sharply deteriorated, culminating in May 2024, when Ireland, along with Spain and Norway, formally recognized an independent Palestinian state.

Later in 2024, Ireland joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This prompted Israel to close its embassy in Ireland.

“The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, along with double standards,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said at the time. “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel. Israel will invest its resources in advancing bilateral relations with countries worldwide according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states toward Israel.”