When asked about the decision by the parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Defence Artis Švinka to attend a commemorative event dedicated to the memory of Palestinian civilians killed in attacks by the Israeli military, Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds said he condemns terrorism in all of its forms.
Sprūds, through the ministry’s representatives, told LETA that Švinka participated in the event as a Saeima deputy following his personal initiative to commemorate civilian victims. On Monday, however, Švinka participated in a commemorative event at the Jewish Community House to commemorate the victims of the attack on Israel.
“We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms. In this context, Israel has the right to self-defence in accordance with international law.
At the same time, it is essential to prevent a deepening of the humanitarian crisis and civilian casualties.
All diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and violence against the civilian population must continue,” said Sprūds.
LETA reported that on Saturday, the 5th of October, around 100 people gathered in Esplanade, Riga, to commemorate the Palestinian civilians killed in attacks by Israeli military.
The event was organised by the organisation called “Par brīvu Palestīnu” [For a free Palestine]. According to information from Firmas.lv, this association is not listed anywhere on the register.
Among the participants of this event was Švinka. As well as the project leader of “Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem” [I want to help refugees] Ieva Raubiško, who is under criminal investigation for possible organisation of the movement of illegal migrants over the border. The prosecutor in charge of the case has requested a one year and six months in prison for Raubiško.
Švinka’s decision to attend the event dedicated to the commemoration of Palestinian civilians killed in Israeli attacks caused shock among users of social networks.
After a meeting of the coalition on Monday, the 7th of October, Latvian Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens and Minister of Economics Victors Valainis said Švinka’s actions should be reviewed by Sprūds.
“It is the Minister’s choice of the people he chooses in his team, we do not influence it, it is the Minister’s responsibility how to proceed in this situation,” said Valainis, stressing that he trusts both Progressives and the minister.
Progressives’ Saeima faction leader Andris Šuvajevs told journalists that he sees no problems with Švinka’s decision to participate in a commemorative event.
“It is important to mention that Mr. Švinka also participated in the commemoration of the 7th of October terrorist attack and, in general, we cannot forget that in the last year, according to the UN, more than 40 000 civilians were killed in Gaza. There is no reason to condemn the commemoration of the victims,” said Šuvajevs.
On the 7th of October, 2023, the terrorist group Hamas carried out a massacre in Israel, where nearly 1 200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and about 250 people were taken hostage.
In response to the 7th of October massacre, Israel has expressed determination to “destroy Hamas”, and launched a “special military operation” in the terrorist-controlled Gaza Strip.