Call comes in response to relentless Israeli onslaught on Palestinian people
Monday 15th September. 2025. The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) has today called on the Government and Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill T.D. to immediately instigate a full review of the purchase of all Israeli manufactured and sourced healthcare products and medicines in response to the Israeli onslaught on the people of Palestine.
PNA General Secretary, Peter Hughes, said the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, the flagrant breaches on international law and the continued suffering inflicted by Israel on the Palestinian people was deeply concerning to PNA members both personally and in their capacity as healthcare professionals.
He said the assault on Gaza is not only showing a disregard for human live but will result in generational trauma for the Palestinian population, including children.
“The immediate impact on civilians in Gaza is devastating, as people seek shelter from the relentless bombing campaign and face starvation. Those who survive are left to deal with intense trauma and mental health impacts without any refuge or support. The long-term impacts will be generational.”
Mr Hughes said Ireland, and our health services, must adhere to the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which held that all countries, including Ireland, are required to take specific actions regarding trade and investment relations with Israel. This was reaffirmed overwhelmingly by the UN General Assembly in September 2024, in a motion co-sponsored by Ireland.
PNA are calling on the Government and HSE to take immediate action on this issue as it relates to the purchase of Israeli manufactured and sourced healthcare products and medicines.
Media contact: Derek Cunningham 086-2430535
Read the full text of the PNA letter here :
Ms Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill
Minister for Health
By email to
Dear Minister Carroll Mac Neill,
I am writing to you in the context of the ongoing appalling situation that unfolds daily in Gaza as Israel continues, and indeed intensifies, it’s relentless onslaught on the Palestinian people.
This is a situation that is deeply concerning to PNA members both personally and in their capacity as healthcare professionals.
The war on Gaza was raised in motions at our Annual Delegate Conference earlier this year specifically in relation to the purchasing by the HSE of Israeli sourced medications such as the TEVA brand.
It is a matter of record that in July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) held that all countries, including Ireland, are required to take specific actions regarding trade and investment relations with Israel. This was reaffirmed overwhelmingly by the UN General Assembly in September 2024, in a motion co-sponsored by Ireland.
Complying with the ICJ's findings requires a thorough, detailed audit of all of Ireland's economic and trade relations with Israel to ensure that they do not contribute to or support breaches of international law or the illegal occupation.
This is an urgent requirement regarding all kinds of trade, in every part of our economy, and the health sector is no different.
PNA is requesting that the HSE urgently review all commercial relations, contracts and imports of health products and medicines considering the ICJ's conclusions.
I would also bring to the attention of the HSE that in her report to the UN Human Rights Council in July 2025, the UN expert on Palestine made clear that Governments, agencies and companies must cease all trade that contributes to the maintenance of the Israeli occupation economy.
PNA are calling on the Government and HSE to take immediate action on this issue as it relates to the purchase of Israeli manufactured and sourced healthcare products and medicines.
Yours Sincerely,
Peter Hughes, General Secretary
