David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the ambassador. I would like to ask about diplomatic initiatives, particularly the Euro-Med agreement covering trade between Israel and EU. Human rights protocols are attached to that agreement. I have consistently called for them to be monitored but they have not been; nobody is even watching them. What steps is the state of Palestine taking to ensure the EU monitors these protocols in light of the fact that there is universal international agreement that not only human rights violations but war crimes have been taking place? Would it not be better to remove these human rights protocols, which are just a fig leaf, if they are going to be completely ignored? What is Palestine doing to ensure they are at least monitored and then acted upon?

The pretext Israel gave for starting a war was the kidnapping and appalling murder of three Israeli teenagers, which everybody condemned internationally. The ambassador stated that Hamas has denied any involvement in this. I would like further information in light of the fact that I have also had the opportunity to read quickly through the submission of the Israeli ambassador, who is present in the Visitors Gallery. He says on page 1: "...a Hamas Politburo member living in Turkey, [he names him so it is very specific] Saleh Aruri, took credit for the abduction and killing of the teens; then a few days later the movement’s leader, Khaled Meshaal, also acknowledged that it was involved." There is a clear contradiction here. Could Mr. Abdelrazek clarify this?

I notice that sometimes ambassadors refer to our troubled history with the United Kingdom. That is not helpful and I would avoid that in future; it is populist. I particularly point to the fact that the Queen of England is more Irish by descent than half the IRA.