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

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this issue. Last month, on statements in advance of the European Council meeting, I raised my deep concerns in respect of the recent trip of Ursula von der Leyen to Israel and her praise of the apartheid system that openly operates there. The message the President of the European Commission delivered was clear for all to see. For increased energy co-operation, the EU is willing to see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. Unfortunately, Ireland is complicit in that policy approach. The Minister has stated in the House that Ireland will not break away from the consensus within the European Union.

The consensus within the European Union seems to be "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil", so Israel can do what it wants, when it wants and there will be no repercussions. We have often spoken here about Ireland's commitment to Palestine over the years. Irish Aid, along with other EU partners, has worked on so many projects that have had a profound impact on the daily lives of thousands of Palestinians. I have worked in Palestine, in the Gaza Strip. It has always been a source of great pride to me to see various villages around the Gaza Strip with signage showing that various projects have been supported by Irish Aid and by the Irish State.

That is why I find it disturbing to see images of what is now happening and what is being allowed to happen in the Masafer Yatta area, to see, the week after Ursula von der Leyen's visit, the Israeli Government announcing plans to demolish more villages such as Khallet ad-Dhabe. These are villages whose infrastructure was supported by Irish Aid and EU humanitarian aid funds. An EU sign in the village reads "Humanitarian Support to Protect Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem From Forced Transfer". The apartheid state of Israel has designated a part of Masafer Yatta, including this village, as a firing zone. Approximately 20% of the West Bank has been designated by the Israelis as a firing zone. This is going to have a devastating impact on more than 5,000 Palestinians from 38 different communities. What is the EU doing to protect these Palestinians, many of whom are living in villages supported by Irish and EU aid? We need to see the European Council, Ireland, and the Minister of State himself standing up to Israel and saying it cannot keep destroying the investments that Ireland has put into Palestinian communities. That is what is happening. When will Ireland stand up and say Israel cannot keep carrying out apartheid, cannot keep destroying investments that Ireland has made in Palestine?

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