Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with my colleague. To suggest that this is in any way antisemitic is completely untrue. I condemn all forms of racism, including antisemitism. When we talk about international law, we refer to the laws drawn up after the Second World War in the wake of the horrors of the Holocaust. People said that it should never happen again, to anyone. As my colleague has said, many Jewish activists, academics and groups have said been very clear that criticism of the Israeli Government is not, in any way, antisemitic. When I first tabled this legislation, a group of senior, high-profile Israeli citizens wrote to the Members of the Irish Parliament in support of this Bill. I want to highlight that those Israelis support this Bill. The list of people included the former Israeli ambassadors and members of parliament and even an attorney general. There are many proud Jewish activists, including in Ireland, who oppose the illegal occupation. We need to say this today and I am proud to stand with them. That is what this is all about.