Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I repeat the condemnation of Israel's brutal and murderous policy against unarmed protesters in Gaza. It is an outrage that should be met not just with outrage but with action. The moving of the US embassy to Jerusalem is a green light for the Israeli state's policy of Zionist expansion and colonisation. Israel claims that it is defending its borders from terrorism but these borders were established by military occupation in 1967 and are not agreed borders.

I support the concept of an Israeli state, given the history of discrimination, pogroms and the horrors of the Holocaust for the Jewish people. This must be a state with agreed borders, however, and not those determined by military might. It must be a state that treats all of its citizens, Jews and non-Jews, equally. It must recognise the rights of Palestinians driven from their homes and lands in the Nakba of 1947-1948. It must also offer the right to return or full compensation, end the siege of Gaza and enter into meaningful talks.

The status quocannot be accepted but that is what is happening. The problem is not just with the US and President Trump. The EU wrings its hands but is Israel's main trading partner. One third of all Israeli exports go to the EU. A boycott of settlement goods is not sufficient because it will affect only 2% of Israeli exports. We need boycotts, divestments and sanctions on all Israeli goods and services. The arms trade must be ended. Since 2005, we have bought €16.6 million worth of ammunition, drones and other military equipment from Israel. This is dwarfed by EU states which bought €9.5 billion of Israeli arms and so-called battle tested military equipment between 2005 and 2009. This equipment was developed and then tested on Palestinians. That is what the term "battle tested" means.

Ireland must lead the way, not just with words but with actions. We should recall our ambassador to Israel and expel the Israeli ambassador. We must support the passage of the Control of Economic Activities (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 which was put forward by Senator Frances Black. We must immediately end all military co-operation and trade in arms, military components and so on, commence a programme of boycott, divestment and sanctions to force Israel to abide by UN resolutions, formally recognise the state of Palestine, and enter into real and meaningful talks for a two-state peace process.

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