Thu Sep 26 14:58:39 UTC 2024: ## Irish Tanaiste Denies Minister’s Secret Phone Call to Israeli Counterpart
**Dublin, Ireland** – Tánaiste Mícheál Martin has firmly denied allegations that Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe made a secret phone call to his Israeli counterpart in 2019 to assure him the Irish Government would block the Occupied Territories Bill. The claim was first reported by the online website The Ditch, citing leaked documents from the Israeli Ministry of Justice.
Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy brought the issue to the Dáil on Thursday, demanding clarification from Martin. The Tanaiste stated that Donohoe “is clear that he did not make any such phone call” and that his published diary contains no record of such a conversation.
“It speaks to people rushing to judgment before ascertaining the full facts,” said Martin, urging Carthy to retract his earlier statements.
The Occupied Territories Bill, which bans trade with and economic support for illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories, has been stalled for years despite support from several parties, including Fianna Fáil when in opposition. The allegations regarding Donohoe’s phone call suggest a behind-the-scenes effort to block the legislation.
Carthy, the Sinn Fein spokesperson on foreign affairs, called on the government to enact both the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023, which would prohibit state investment in companies profiting from illegal settlements.
In a separate statement, Martin condemned Israel’s response to the Hamas attack on October 7th as “absolutely disproportional,” leading to near famine conditions and the deaths of over 40,000 people in Gaza. He also expressed his support for the Palestinian right to self-determination.
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