Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The recent allegations against six civil society advocacy organisations in Palestine are a result of apartheid Israel's failure to challenge the work of the organisations on the basis of law and evidence. Apartheid Israel has now resorted to systematic harassment of the six organisations. I am aware of the solid and important work one of the six organisations, Al-Haq, does. This is an ongoing process by Israel which aims to dismantle all community structures that highlight the nature of apartheid Israel. We must stand with the six organisations. If organisations are going to be treated like this, young people will be driven into armed resistance. That is the reality, and who could blame them?

Ireland's position on the UN Security Council is about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike. It has made no difference to the Palestinian community. We get loads of words from this Government, but no action. There must be action. The Government must act and tell apartheid Israel that what it is doing is unacceptable. In view of apartheid Israel's actions, we must recognise the state of Palestine and also pass Senator Black's Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018.

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