Law Society issues statement on Gaza
The Law Society of Ireland has issued a statement on Gaza. It says that it “joins the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute in condemning [the] unlawful use of starvation as a method of warfare in Gaza”.
In the statement, the Law Society calls for an end to the “catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza”, saying that the rule of law must be upheld.
With the IBA’s Human Rights Institute, it reiterates its condemnation of the continued holding of hostages by Hamas, and calls for “their immediate and unconditional release”.
The full statement reads:
“The Council of the Law Society of Ireland condemns the inhuman and unlawful starvation of Gaza’s population and calls for adherence to international humanitarian and human rights law.
“As outlined by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute on 16 May 2025, the intentional starvation of the civilian population of Gaza is in breach of international law and defies the core principles of humanity and dignity. Starvation is explicitly recognised as a war crime under the Protocols to the Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
“The Law Society calls on the international community to exert pressure on Israel to lift the blockade and ensure the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial goods into Gaza. The Law Society’s position, and the position of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, relating to the current situation in Gaza is based on international law.
“As stated by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute:
- The principle of proportionality applies to all uses of military force, irrespective of the rationale for resorting to military force,
- The humanitarian law principles of distinction (this means distinguishing between military and civilian objects, and the duty to protect the latter) and proportionality are sacred, and must be complied with at all times, and
- International human-rights law and international criminal law continue to apply in armed conflict, alongside international humanitarian law.
“The deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid, including food, water, and medical care to the civilian population in Gaza, half of whom are children, is a grave violation of international law. It is a crime and those found responsible must be held accountable in adherence to international law.
“The catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza must end. The rule of law must be upheld. In addition, the Law Society, along with the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, once again condemns the continued holding of hostages by Hamas and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.”