Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We know what is happening. I was in the West Bank back in 2018 just before I introduced this Bill. Obviously we introduced it for all occupied territories, all illegal occupied territories, and all illegal settlements in any occupied territory. What I saw with my own eyes when I was in the West Bank was pretty horrendous. I saw how people's lands, houses and farm lands were taken off them with illegal settlements being built. Driving into the Palestinian area it was just deprivation and poverty. They were not allowed to build themselves so they had to build on top. Water would have to come from the rain. The settlements themselves, however, were like something one would see in Florida. They were these beautiful settlements with water fountains, swimming pools and shopping centres, which were all on stolen land. We know that Israel is breaking international law and committing war crimes. The world is watching and there are absolutely no consequences whatsoever. There are no consequences to what Israel is doing. I cannot get my head around how they are allowed to do this at this time and have no consequences. That is why we introduced the occupied territories Bill back in 2018 and this is why the Bill is absolutely vital now, particularly given what is happening in the West Bank. Every single day we are seeing terror being put on the Palestinian people, we are seeing people being killed, and we can see what is happening in Gaza, which is just a genocide. It is horrific what is happening over there.