Minister for Foreign Affairs Visits Gaza

An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha               Preas Ráiteas

Department of Foreign Affairs                Press Release

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Minister for Foreign Affairs Visits Gaza

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, T.D., will tomorrow travel to Gaza.

Announcing his visit, Minister Martin stated:

“My purpose in visiting Gaza is humanitarian, in order to assess for myself the conditions obtaining for Gaza’s population in light of the completely unacceptable blockade imposed on the Strip for some two-and-a-half years now.

I have repeatedly expressed my serious concerns over the situation in Gaza and called for an end to the unjust blockade imposed against its population.

My visit will provide an invaluable opportunity to examine the vital humanitarian work being undertaken by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza and which Irish Aid is actively supporting. The Irish public is well aware and extremely proud of the tremendous contribution made by UNRWA and its Irish-born Director of Operations, John Ging, to maintaining humanitarian services for the people of Gaza. I am looking forward to seeing UNRWA’s operations at first hand.”

Minister Martin continued:

“My visit is being undertaken in close coordination with UNRWA and I would like to express my appreciation for their assistance in organising my visit. I would also like to express my thanks and personal appreciation to Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit and the Egyptian government who have agreed to facilitate my entry into Gaza from Egypt.” 

During his one-day visit to Gaza, Minister Martin will visit an UNRWA school and an UNRWA food distribution centre in Rafah as well as visiting an industrial site in Karni and travelling to UNRWA’s operational HQ in Gaza city. Minister Martin will also meet with local Palestinian human rights defenders while visiting Gaza City.

ENDS+++

Press Office

24 February 2010