Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to debate this highly emotive issue. I condemn the taking of any human life. I welcome the Minister and commend his efforts to help resolve this tragic situation. It is a horrendous human tragedy which has been continuing for far too long and it is time to stop it. There are numerous tragedies happening in the world today, such as the tragedy of Syria which was not even included on the agenda for today's business but the Leader referred to it. More than 160,000 people have been killed in Syria and 3 million people have been displaced by the civil war. There has been a rise in terrorism across the globe. For example, ISIS has taken over parts of Syria and Iraq. Public executions have been broadcast on television and other media. I refer to the rise of the terrorist group Boko Haram, in Nigeria which kidnapped 300 Christian schoolgirls whose whereabouts are unknown. This group has killed thousands of their own people. The Russian-backed militia in eastern Ukraine is reputedly responsible for the shooting down of flight MH17 with the loss of 298 innocent lives.

Democratically elected governments have the right to defend themselves and their citizens. The world media is depicting Israel as the terrorist but if one looks back at history it can be seen what Hamas stands for. Hamas was elected in Palestine in 2006. After the election the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union asked Hamas to recognise Israel and to make a commitment to non-violence. Hamas rejected this request and sanctions have since been imposed by these countries and the European Union.

I refer to the Hamas charter which states that it is committed to the destruction of Israel and the killing of all Jews. Younis al-Astal, a member of Hamas, has publicly denied that the Holocaust ever happened, stating that it was a lie invented by Zionists. As we know, the Holocaust was the greatest atrocity in our world and it must never be forgotten. In 2012 Hamas opposed the teaching about the Holocaust in schools in the Gaza Strip.

No matter what are the aims of Hamas or what is stated in its charter, we must try every diplomatic solution and route to stop the slaughter of these people. Israel is a democratic country and it has a right to defend itself against years of continuous rockets being fired indiscriminately at its citizens by a terrorist organisation. I refer to the examples of a person whose neighbour is dumping rubbish in his garden or a child who is being bullied at school; they will put up with the situation for a certain time but eventually they will have to take action. Hamas has a duty of care to its own people but it is using its own people as human shields to gain propaganda advantage on the world stage and the civilian population is being killed in this bloody conflict. There must be a way found to end this human slaughter but it will be necessary for both sides to be dedicated and committed to a peaceful resolution, and to come together to find a way to cease this horrendous human injustice and carnage. Hamas has on numerous occasions rejected the right of the United Nations and other world organisations to sit at a table with Israel and to discuss these matters. Hamas is gaining nothing from this conflict, only the tragic deaths of its own people and with the aim of demonising Israel in the world press. Israel is gaining nothing only negative press, even if it is defending its own citizens. A ceasefire is the only solution. The Minister, the Government and the European Union must work towards stopping this futile taking of lives on both sides. We are all fully familiar with our own country's history. Determination, dedication, discussion and diplomacy, are the only means to bring about a proper resolution and to put an end to this futile slaughter of human life. I hope the Minister and our Government can help in some way to resolve what is a major human tragedy. It is time to stop.