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

It is really hard to know where to start when addressing apartheid Israel and its long list of aggressive acts on Palestine. There has been and continues to be much abuse by Israel on the Palestinian people. Among those abuses, which the Minister probably saw at first hand when he was over there on his recent visit, are the illegal settlements that no one can stop, the blockade of Gaza that no one can stop, apartheid Israel's systematic violation of children's rights, the shooting dead of countless children and the illegal administrative detention process. Hisham Abu Hawash has been jailed without charge since October 2020. He has been on hunger strike for 104 days. Nidal Ballout is 27 years of age and has been on hunger strike for 31 days. He is also being held under administrative detention. It is important that the Irish Government and the EU intervene on behalf of these individuals.

I wish to ask a question specifically about the designation by apartheid Israel of the six Palestinian advocacy groups as terror groups. My understanding is that the six organisations have now been listed on the National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing of Israel. This shows that Israel is starting to act on the designation orders. Also, the Israeli military commander communicated to the organisations two days ago, on 28 November, that they must cease work during the appeal process. This means that the work and funding of the organisations are under direct and immediate threat. What is Ireland doing, along with the other EU states, to pressure Israel and the Defense Minister of Israel to rescind the designation?

Welcome back, a Cheann Comhairle. It is good to see you in good health.

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