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

The point I am getting at is that the EU, for example, took clear and decisive action against Iran over human rights abuses. I heard the Minister say earlier that he disagreed with the introduction of the death penalty in Iran. The Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, is looking for the reintroduction of the death penalty in Israel.

When Ireland and the EU take action against Iran over human rights abuses, why do the same standards not apply to Israeli breaches and its violations of international law? Had Mahsa Amini been Palestinian and murdered by Israeli forces, would the EU have cared? The evidence suggests it would not because hundreds of Palestinians are killed every year and there is no action. The Minister should do the right thing and introduce the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 and recognise the state of Palestine.

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