Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The ruling classes and governments of the world have almost without exception either supported Israel's war or limited criticism to mere words. Because of this, Palestinian trade unionists made the following appeal, "[We] call on our counterparts internationally and all people of conscience to end all forms of complicity with Israel’s crimes - most urgently halting the arms trade with Israel, as well as all funding and military research." Congratulations, therefore, to the Belgian transport workers and Barcelona dockers who refused to handle war material bound for Israel, and to the Palestinian Arab and Muslim workers at Google who have organised a "No Tech for Apartheid" campaign against racist surveillance and victimisation of workers when they speak out against Israel's war. Congratulations to those students who have walked out of classes in protest in Melbourne, in Windsor, Ontario, and in cities across the United States and to those who plan to do so in Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester and London.

In light of these solidarity actions, and given the need to step up pressure, I would like to do the following. First, I call on the workers at Shannon Airport to organise checks as to whether weapons are being sent through that airport to Israel, and to refuse to handle any aircraft that contains such cargo. Second, I call on the 100,000 workers in the Irish health service and their trade unions to urgently discuss what solidarity actions can be taken in support of their colleagues in Gaza's hospitals, who face conditions that can only be described as hellish, unbearable and monstrous. I ask every student in the country, both third level and secondary, and every trade unionist and trade union to note the fact that Wednesday, 29 November is the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and call on them to urgently discuss what action can be taken on that day, whether it be a school walk-out, a university sit-in, a 15-minute work stoppage or a lunchtime protest.

Pressure needs to be brought to bear on this Government to act. Some 31 dual-use export licences have been granted this year so far. No more should be issued while this crisis continues. Just as South African produce was banned in 1987 under pressure from the Dunnes Stores strike, the Government should ban all trade with Israel for the duration of this crisis. The Israeli ambassador must be expelled. ICC proceedings should be initiated. Pressure from below now needs to be stepped up to force this Government to act. There can be no business as usual during a genocide.

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