Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for coming before us and for the time they, in a voluntary capacity, devote to this issue. I cannot imagine what it must be like to go to the West Bank and watch the wanton destruction that takes place. I cannot imagine what it must be like for someone who has an olive grove that is 1,000 years old, which is ripped out of the ground to put property in the area by force. I cannot begin to imagine the feelings of those little boys in the photograph as their school is being torn down.

I admire the fact that the deputation is neither pro-Palestinian nor pro-Israeli. The more I see of what goes on out there, the stronger my views become. I wrote to the members of the Israeli Government at one stage. I told them that the only thing they had learned from the treatment they received under the jackboot was that they learned how to wear a jackboot far better than those who had caused the holocaust. Perhaps they are not sending people to gas chambers, but, by God, they are destroying lives. I support everything the deputation has asked for, and more besides. I will not ask the deputation to comment on anything I have to say. I feel disgust and anger at what is the most blatant example of man's inhumanity to man. This is supported by some of the greatest powers in the world. If, for once, some of those powerful people decided they were not going to support this anymore, things might improve. They are being supported for political reasons. There are no other reasons.

I admire the work of the members of the deputation and I congratulate them for what they have done. I congratulate them on coming before the committee in an even-handed and non-partisan role. I will do everything in my power. I will raise this matter in Seanad Éireann. I support the call of the deputation for the committee to go there, although following some of the things I have said I would probably be locked up the moment I arrived in Jerusalem. They do not take kindly to people who criticise them. I think they should be bloody well ashamed of themselves. I thank the deputation for their time. I hope they get some time at home before going back out there for a while.