Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The State has a responsibility to call out the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and the system of apartheid that that has enforced for over five decades. The world has looked on in horror at the barbaric violation of the basic human rights of Palestinians by Israel. The Israeli military onslaught has driven Palestinians out of their homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and forced them into the open-air prison that is Gaza where missiles recently rained down on top of innocent men, women and children, killing 64 children and hundreds of adults.

Palestinians are trapped and denied water, sanitation, electricity, medical supplies and basic building materials. They are rendered homeless and stateless by an army that has been complicit and has the complicit support of some of the international community who should hang their heads in shame. The European Union could have done more, but has shown itself to be a paper tiger. It has failed to take action. This can be compared to the swift action, which was correctly taken in respect of Belarus within 24 hours.

In this State, the Government has to recognise the state of Palestine. The Sinn Féin motion passed by the Dáil more than three years ago needs to be adopted by the Government. In the most recent sustained and brutal onslaught on the Palestinian people, Members will have seen the slaughter that took place. Nine primary healthcare centres, six hospitals, a Covid lab, ministry of health buildings, a university, a library and the offices of the media were all destroyed by bombs dropped from Israeli warplanes, which is in breach of the Geneva Convention.

A long-term solution is now required to bring justice and freedom to the Palestinian people. As a state which is only now finding its way out of the history of imperial oppression, Ireland has a responsibility in this regard. We have a seat at the UN Security Council and need to use it. I implore the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Taoiseach and the Government to use that, as well as forcing the EU, to work towards a proper long-term solution and to end the Israeli war crimes in Gaza against the Palestinian people.

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