John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have heard the arguments and we have heard the amendments. I again call on Members to remain focused on the magnitude of what we are on the cusp of achieving. We will become the first European country to formally acknowledge that the crime of annexation has taken place. The architecture of the Israeli Government strategy on the development of settlements signals the intention of making this a permanent fixture. The EU has talked about the need for Israel to avoid the red line of annexation but we have the potential to bring Europe over the line. We have the potential to move EU policy on Palestine. I welcome the comments of the Minister in formally and explicitly stating that what is taking place is de factoannexation.

This motion reflects the concern of the Irish people about the plight of the Palestinian people. The memory and consequence of colonisation live in the very marrow of our bones. It is right that with our unique understanding of the experience of colonisation, we will be first Parliament in Europe to call out Israel on its apartheid policies.

There is a need to address some of what I regard as the unfortunate comments of the Minister. I, along with a coalition of non-governmental organisations, reached out to the Government in good faith in respect of this motion and we were quite careful to explicitly condemn attacks on civilian population and infrastructure. I point out to the Minister that a civilian is a civilian and I do not distinguish one from another. Trying to imply otherwise does a disservice to what we are on the cusp of achieving with this motion.

Last week we had statements on Palestine following the most recent Israeli onslaught against Palestinians. What was remarkable was the evidence of cross-party unity on the matter of Palestine. I was touched by the emotion in some of the contributions and I appeal to all Members here today, of all political hues, to direct that emotion, feeling and concern for the Palestinian people towards achieving a tangible, very real victory for the cause of justice and humanity. With the potential to move the goalposts on this, we can set in train a process that can rip the gates off the open air prison that is the occupied Palestinian territories.

We all share the frustration of the Minister when he talks about the UN Security Council needing two weeks to agree a response. If we can get this motion adopted, all who speak for this Dáil will carry the imprimatur of the Irish people. What next? On this I turn to a letter from Professor Stanley Michael Lynk, United Nations special rapporteur for the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, who felt compelled to write to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, on the strength of this motion coming before the Dáil. He states:

Accordingly, I would call upon your Government to adopt meaningful accountability measures respecting the Israeli occupation that would include:

- Halting all Irish economic activity and trade with the illegal Israeli settlements;

- Reviewing and downgrading Ireland’s military relationship with the Israeli military;

- Recognizing that Israel has de factoannexed much of the West Bank, which is as illegal under international law as de jureannexation; and

- Using its voice within the European Union for Brussels to support measures to review and downgrade its economic, cultural, military and diplomatic relationships with Israel until the occupation fully ends.

The comments of the special rapporteur spell out what this Dáil needs to do. We must pass the occupied territories legislation. We must look at sanctions. We must formally recognise the state of Palestine. The Israeli ambassador should go.

In passing this motion we are mandating our Government to move forward to the next stage, which is to work internationally to introduce measures that will hold Israel truly to account. I commend the motion to the Dáil and I hope it will be fully supported by all.

See this speech in context