Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last night the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 passed Committee Stage in the Seanad. As today is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I welcome that progress. The Bill is supported by all parties in the House except Fine Gael, which urgently needs to get on board with what is a progressive and human rights-based legislative measure. Nothing will change in Gaza or the West Bank until the international community moves from empty rhetoric to putting pressure on Israel. Next week marks the fourth anniversary of a Sinn Féin motion that was agreed unanimously by the House and that called on the State to formally recognise the state of Palestine. The Government has dragged its heels on this matter despite a commitment in the programme for Government. It is time to make a principled stand for peace and progress in the Middle East. The continued mantra from Fine Gael that the time is not right is simply not good enough. Will the Tánaiste accept that this is the right time to afford recognition to the people and state of Palestine?

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