Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. As the Minister knows, conditions in Palestine are among the worst faced since its illegal occupation. We have all seen pictures on camera phones and cannot hide the reality of what is actually happening during the occupation. We have also heard eyewitness reports. Gaza is the world's biggest prison and the inhuman occupation of the West Bank and east Jerusalem negatively affects every facet of daily life. Since 13 September, 73 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli authorities while 2,200 have been arrested and 2,250 injured, many by plastic bullets. The international community has largely remained silent. I have not heard any statement from the Minister on the recent human rights and international violations. I know he is busy with the talks and so on but what are his plans in the face of such blatant violations? Has he raised the issue with the Israeli authorities or with his European counterparts?

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