The Irish Society of Specialists in Public Health Medicine (ISSPHM) has called on the Taoiseach and Government to intensify efforts help alleviate the suffering of people in Gaza.
In a letter dated 7 August, ISSPHM Chair Dr Kenneth Beatty said public health doctors are “once again” urging the Taoiseach to “do more for the people of Gaza as a matter of grave urgency”.
Dr Beatty wrote that over “the last 22 months, we have watched helplessly as this catastrophic, man-made public health emergency has unfolded”.
“The civilian population in Gaza has been subject to military assault, bombings, repeated forced displacement, the destruction of housing, food and water supplies, and the relentless/repeated dismantling of healthcare services and infrastructure.”
He noted that there is evidence that starvation “is being used systematically as a weapon of war” by the state of Israel.
“The life-long public health impact of physical and psychological trauma, along with starvation particularly for the children who survive cannot be underestimated.”
Dr Beatty added that many healthcare workers in Gaza have been killed or injured in this conflict.
A total of 917 were killed in attacks as of May 2025, with 1406 injured, according to the World Health Organisation.
The ISSPHM said the Irish Government should use every diplomatic and political channel available to press for a permanent ceasefire and to ensure life-saving humanitarian aid can flow freely through established relief networks.
The letter also calls on the Government to advocate for “large-scale EU economic sanctions on the state of Israel”, as well as ceasing the issuing of licences “for the export of dual use goods to Israel”.
The Society states it is important to ensure “that procurement policies across all Government departments are aligned with human rights/International Court of Justice ruling perspectives.”
ISSPHM members have also been encouraged to send the letter to their local TDs on the issue.
