Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Can I first of all say that we have consistently as a Government called for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine and the Middle East? We have condemned the rocket firing by Hamas, which needs to be condemned as well and should not have happened. It killed children and other people as well, but the response from the Israeli Government has been wholly disproportionate and indiscriminate and has resulted in the killing of innocent civilians - children and many, many more. In my view, that response is not justifiable. It is unacceptable in terms of its brutality and ruthlessness. Hence, in my view, the violence should cease. Gaza is highly densely populated. When one bombs at that level and scale, it is inevitable that innocent families and people will be killed. Of that there is no doubt. An immediate ceasefire is essential. Hamas should cease firing rockets into Israel and Israel should desist from what I would describe as its wholly disproportionate response.

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