Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As a people, we are all sickened and deeply troubled by the increasing violence and its devastating impact on Gaza's population, as well as by the growing number of deaths in the West Bank. Every one of us is appalled by the unprecedented level of casualties on both sides and the severe suffering this conflict is inflicting on innocent victims, including older people, women and, especially, children. I strongly condemn acts of violence against civilians, which are completely against international humanitarian law.

Although the International Criminal Court is already probing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in both Palestine and Israel, including those since 6 October 2023, those investigations need to be expedited. Currently, the capacity for a thorough investigation, which has been ongoing for the past 32 months, is lacking and I welcome the Sinn Féin motion, which exposes this intolerable delay. I agree with the Tánaiste it is crucial for all nations that have signed up to the Rome Statute to now live up to their responsibilities and provide the necessary financial and political support to the International Criminal Court to conduct a comprehensive and prompt investigation into all allegations of such crimes, including those since 6 October 2023.

I have received hundreds of emails regarding the Social Democrats’ motion tomorrow asking me to "put aside party politics for human decency”. That is exactly what I intend to do. I am not speaking without some understanding of the issues in this part of the Middle East. I have been directly involved in a peacebuilding process in this region for the past few years. In recent weeks, I have had a modest yet informed role in conversations concerning the ongoing crisis. My involvement has primarily been in supporting efforts towards establishing a humanitarian pause in the escalating situation. This is not a time for political manoeuvres. It is time to halt the violence and save lives.

Diplomacy and dialogue are needed now more than ever. We cannot abandon our citizens in Gaza, in particular little Emily Hand, who is being held hostage there as we speak. Nor should we abandon our Defence Forces personnel who are serving in peacekeeping roles in the region and reliant on Israeli support. I spoke to my colleague Deputy Berry, who has served with the Defence Forces in the region. He pointed out that it appears the proposal to expel the Israeli ambassador has been made with little or no consideration of the real-world consequences of such an action. Almost 10% of Ireland's army, or almost 500 personnel, are deployed in the Middle East at all times. This is an incredible statistic unmatched by any other country. Should the Israeli ambassador be expelled from Dublin, Israel would not only reciprocate with the immediate expulsion of our ambassador from Tel Aviv, but would also likely revoke the visas of the 11 Defence Forces officers in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, who are based primarily across Israel and the West Bank. This would not only reduce the likelihood of evacuating our citizens from Gaza and the safe return of our eight-year-old hostage, it would also undermine Irish efforts to deter conflict from spreading to the West Bank and Jerusalem. The risk of an Irish UN post being shelled as a reprisal would also increase. Furthermore, a standing arrangement whereby higher level medical care is provided to Irish peacekeeping troops in the Israeli hospital in Tiberias may be compromised.

We must collectively strive for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire by both sides in this conflict and urge the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas. As a matter of urgency, we need to ensure sufficient humanitarian aid, including vital fuel supplies, is allowed into Gaza. This aid is necessary to provide some relief and meet the basic needs of its people.

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