Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Like previous speakers, I would like to express my condolences with the family of Kim Damti and also to condemn the actions of Hamas in the targeting of civilians. I have absolutely no hesitation in doing that. However, when we do that, we must also condemn Israel and its actions. There is no way out of that. Their language and the language of the defence minister is simply appalling. The Tánaiste mentioned the Old Testament, and the Israeli Defense Minister talks about the Palestinians as "human animals and we will act accordingly". That is totally unacceptable.

In my short minute, I cannot go into the background to this. However, I congratulate the Tánaiste and the Government on their leadership in relation to going against Hungary and the Commissioner there, and showing leadership in relation to keeping up the humanitarian assistance, but we need to do a lot more than that. Gaza is an open prison.

As I speak here, I am conscious that the Red Cross has said the hospitals will be turned into graveyards. We are talking about thousands dead in Israel and Palestine.

I want our voice to be heard. The Government has made a very good start. This war has to stop. Israel, like Hamas, has to be called out. We need to be a voice for peace and to stop this horrific slaughter.

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