Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim míle buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. Baineann mo cheist inniu leis an tuarascáil seo dar teideal: Córas Cinedheighilte ag Iosrael i gcoinne na bPalaistíneach agus tá súil agam go bhfuil sé léite aige. Is í mo cheist shonrach ná an bhfuil sí léite aige, an n-aontaíonn sé leis na conclúidí tromchúiseacha atá inti agus, go háirithe, go bhfuil córas cinedheighilte i gceist ag Iosrael i coinne na bPalaistíneach? Cén beartas atá ag an Rialtas maidir leis na moltaí? It is worth focusing on this report on Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians published last week. It is a damning indictment of what Israel is doing to the Palestinian people, whether they are living in Israel, the occupied territories, on the Gaza Strip or in East Jerusalem.

It is a 278-page report with seven chapters, an executive summary and conclusions and recommendations. I have read almost every single word. I speak from knowledge of having read the report. The evidence and the research set out is based on over four years of research. It is gathered together and it is built on the work of B’Tselem and the previous reports from Human Rights Watch: A Threshold Crossed.

The evidence and the research is clearly set out. It is a balanced and moderate report. It finds that Israel’s system of institutionalised segregation and discrimination against Palestinians as a racial group in all areas under its control amounts to a system of apartheid and a serious violation of Israel’s human rights obligations.

Perhaps the Taoiseach has not had time to read this report because I am sure that it is not possible with his busy schedule given it took me hours to do so. I am sure, however, that the conclusions and the recommendations have been drawn to his attention. Does he agree with the conclusion that an apartheid system is in operation? Will he raise it at EU and UN level? Does he agree that the International Criminal Court should consider the crime of apartheid in its current investigation in respect of the occupied territories, Israel and what it has done? Will he commit to ceasing the purchase or acquisition of Defence Forces equipment from Israel as called for in this report?

Will the Government use its seat on the UN Security Council, first, to highlight the recommendations of the report and, second, to ensure they are implemented, including imposing targeted sanctions such as asset freezes against Israeli officials most implicated in the crime of apartheid and a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel?

I will conclude by saying that I do not want to hear about antisemitism and how we must be careful. We will take that as a given. I am over time, so I will stop with that. I ask the Taoiseach to use his three minutes appropriately and not with regard to antisemitism.

See this speech in context