Irish MEP Paul Murphy. Photo:European Parliament offiicial website.

The United Kingdom’s Zionist Federation has condemned statements made by an Irish member of the European Parliament that meant to incite violence against Israel.

In a statement made last week on Russian government owned TV channel Russia Today, Paul Murphy, speaking of Palestinian actions against Israel, stated: “You’ve seen significant protest, significant movement, the potential to redevelop a struggle along the lines of the first Intifada.”

Responding sharply, Chairman of the ZF, Paul Charney said of Murphy’s comments: “Mr Murphy’s remarks glorifying the Intifada and justifying it as an alternative to peace talks is disgraceful and highly irresponsible. It dangerously incites the masses to violence, at a time in the Middle East where war and terror is all too common. I call on the Irish Socialist Party to deal swiftly with this issue by publicly confirming that they support peace and further condemn Mr Murphy by stating that his comments are unacceptable.”

Murphy has a history of being a vocal proponent of Palestinian violence. In 2011 he took part in the second “Freedom” Flotilla, a flotilla that planned to break the maritime security blockade of the Gaza Strip following unsuccessful attempts by activists and terrorists to do the same in 2010. Ultimately, the sailing did not take place. In 2012 , Murphy said that a new intifada based on mass “resistance” was preferable to diplomacy.

Several Irish politicians also criticized Murphy for his comments. Irish MEP Charles Tannock, Foreign Affairs and Human Rights spokesman for the UK Conservative delegation, told the Jerusalem Post:  “I utterly condemn his call for another intifada, which is neither remotely justified nor helpful to the peace process, and would only result in futile and needless violence with a risk of injury, both to Palestinian civilians whom he wishes to help and to IDF forces and Israeli civilians.”