Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to the House to discuss the situation in the Middle East and Ireland's position in that regard.

In debates on the Israeli-Palestinian question in the House, I tend to have a lot of sympathy for the Israelis. I am aware that would be a minority position. In the past, the Israelis and the Jews, in particular, have been the victims of dreadful atrocities, including the Holocaust. Israel is a nation under siege. However, it is time Israel recognised that there is a political solution on offer which it should negotiate with the Palestinians and that it is to its benefit to do so. It has peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan and other nations in that area are not out to destroy it. I agree that Israel should take a more measured response to what is happening.

However, I do not agree that Hamas should be given control. Hamas is the agent of Iran. It discriminates against women in an awful way in the West Bank and Gaza, but that is a little beside the point. I would never say that Hamas should be given a leading role in anything. It would be good if the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade came to the House for a debate.