Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Sinn Féin for the opportunity to speak on this matter and also the Social Democrats for its motion tomorrow. I have serious concerns about the call for the withdrawal of the Israeli ambassador. I have a particular viewpoint on that which does not match what people are saying here. Notwithstanding that, it is one month and one week to the day since the attack by Hamas which killed 1,400 Israeli people. I am on the record condemning that out of hand. I am also on the record condemning, in this House, at protests and vigils in Galway and on Sunday in Shannon, the disproportionate and inhumane action taken by the Israeli army, which, in my opinion, has all the ingredients of genocide. There is a particular campaign with the Israeli Embassy concerning anyone who speaks out or says something different. A speech I made last week or the week before in the Dáil has been subject to more than a comment - a detailed statement - to local radio in Galway. Other TDs, my colleague included, have had the same experience.

One child is killed every ten minutes, there is indiscriminate bombing of houses, hospitals and health centres and we stand here today arguing over the nuances of referring Israel to the International Criminal Court. Somewhere between 11,128 and 11,200 people have died - we are speaking about human beings like this - we are not quite sure how many have died; of 8,000 women and children, 4,500 are children. Thousands of others are under rubble and we are arguing about the nuances of how we should refer Israel to the International Criminal Court. The Secretary General of the United Nations said, "Gaza is becoming a graveyard". It is a graveyard, as the Minister of State knows. Some 1.5 million people have been displaced. Some UN experts have resigned in disgust, horror, sadness and disbelief, warning us about the risk of genocide against the Palestinian people. All but one hospital has closed down. The EU has yet to call for a ceasefire. I do not wish to give too much of my limited time to Ursula von der Leyen but she pointed out that we are "standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel". She certainly does not have my shoulder. We moved a little with Borrell, who was a bit more nuanced but now we are back again. The EU has backed Israel in saying its unprecedented killing of civilians in Gaza is partly due to the terrorists' use of human shields. Even if one was to accept that - I fully disagree with it - let us look at the word "partly". If it is only "partly" used, what about the part that is not "partly"? Will it do or say anything about that by Israel? Human Rights Watch told us about Israel's use of white phosphorous munitions in Lebanon and Gaza, which is a clear violation of international humanitarian law.

I wish to talk about a writer, Daniel Levy, among other writers. I have searched and read. I quoted this man in Shannon on Sunday. He is a Jewish Israeli and a former adviser to Israeli prime ministers.

Israel's current course can only ensure its perpetual instability.

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Oct. 7 and its aftermath can be a catalyst for the previously unthinkable - for good and for bad. [I would think our voice as a neutral country should be for the good.]

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But if our nightmares emerged in failing to anticipate and prevent the horrors of Oct. 7 and every day since, then we should unleash our political imagination in laying the groundwork for a future of life and hope.

Otherwise, we are staring into the abyss. Levy talks about three truths, which are possible to hold simultaneously if we are seriously interested in promoting peace:

First, the militant attack on Israeli civilians was unconscionable, inhumane and in violation of international law. Second, [and even worse - that is my addition] Israel's collective punishment against Palestinian civilians and its actions in Gaza are unconscionable, inhumane and a violation of international law. And, third, one must address the context of occupation and apartheid in which this is unfolding if one is to maintain integrity and be able to plot a strategy going forward ... If we can hold these three truths, then it will be possible to prevent further casualties ...

We should listen to that man and a number of other writers like him who are telling us that we are staring into the abyss. On the contrary, however, western leaders have spoken with tremendous sympathy and compassion for the casualties in Israel. There has been a glaring absence, however, of any reference to the humanity of Palestinians. It should not be that hard to acknowledge their pain, suffering and endless dispossession. The sin of omission in the language from the US and many European leaders is encouraging war crimes. Without leadership from them, there is an even bigger onus on us to show leadership. There have been many attempts to bring motions for peace in the UN which have been vetoed by the United States.

There are things we can do aside from calling for the withdrawal of the Israeli ambassador, who should be asked in no uncertain terms to come before the Dáil or the relevant foreign affairs committee to account. She should be in no doubt as to what we think. There are the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023 and the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 and trade with Israel that we could immediately look at. There is no arms embargo. IDA Ireland has representatives in Israel and, of course, we have Shannon Airport. We have reassurances, pathetic as they are, from the Minister and leadership that arms are not being carried and there are no cluster bombs going through Shannon, nothing like that. Imagine taking assurances from the Americans who led the war in Iraq on the basis of false evidence.

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