John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is really important that all perpetrators of war crimes are held to account for their crimes, for crimes against humanity, for butchery and grotesque murder of civilians in any circumstances. I welcome the EU push and the involvement of Ireland in the investigation by the International Criminal Court of all of the Russian atrocities. I genuinely welcome that and note that the Tánaiste spoke about the special tribunal that is being looked at to advance justice for all of those who have lost loved ones as a result.

However, this is a stark contrast to the approach, not just by the EU or Ireland but by the international community in relation to war crimes, crimes against humanity and breaches of international law against the Palestinian people. I note there is not the same intensity to the investigation by the International Criminal Court of war crimes perpetrated by Israel against Palestinians and that case has been open since 2019. I ask the Minister of State what actions this Government and the EU are prepared to take with regard to standing up for international law right across the board but particularly when one of the most serial violators of international law and perpetrators of crimes against humanity is Israel. What actions will this Government take? Will it finally recognise the state of Palestine? Will it implement the occupied territories Bill? Is the EU going to do anything? Will it end the preferential trade agreement with Israel or will it continue to side with the violators of international law in some circumstances? What actions will the EU take and what actions will this Government take?

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