Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the motion. I express my condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. I welcome the positive stance the Minister, Deputy Martin, has taken, which is helpful and is recognised across the world. Deputy Timmins made a very helpful and positive contribution, which is welcomed.

Where does one start when it comes to Israel? One could look a long time back, but I would like to start with three or four years ago when Israel imposed the blockade on Gaza. As previous speakers have said it is a humanitarian disaster. The Minister, Deputy Martin, and Mary Robinson have been there. John Ging is there on a daily basis and he has testified that it is a humanitarian disaster. It is clear that is illegal and immoral, and must end. As Deputy Breen said, it is, in effect, an open prison. In November 2008, six weeks before operation Cast Lead, Deputy Ó Snodaigh and I took the same route this flotilla took and we could see for ourselves that it was an outrageous way to force anybody live. On top of that, Israel then bombed the Gaza Strip and killed more than 1,400 people, including hundreds of children. It made already horrific conditions even more horrific. We then had members of Israel's Mossad organisation using stolen international passports going around and killing people illegally. We have had an immoral blockade, the bombing of the Gaza Strip and the illegal use of stolen passports. Now we have witnessed the attack of a peaceful flotilla bringing humanitarian aid. Such disproportionate actions in effect force people into the arms of extremism.

It is vital for the Irish State to now defend the MV Rachel Corrie, a vessel bringing aid and support and containing people interested in the human rights of the Palestinian people in Gaza. We must ensure that the MV Rachel Corrie can arrive in Gaza city. We must hold Israel accountable and there must be consequences for its actions. Owing to the silence and appeasement on the part of the international community, Israel believes it can get away with acting with impunity. We need to ensure there are consequences for its actions. One could forgive the Israelis for believing they can get away with anything they want to do because for years they have been getting away with everything. There have been no consequences or accountability for any atrocity. We need to ensure that from no on there are accountability and consequences for Israel's atrocities.

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