John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There may have been an agreement in principle but the reality on the ground is there are extreme right-wing ministers in the Israeli Government. On Sunday, the Israeli finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, claimed there are no Palestinians because there is not a Palestinian people. That comes from the same minister who called for the town of Huwara to be wiped out after the attack by illegal Israeli settlers. Only today, the Israeli Government repealed a 2005 law that ordered the dismantling of four illegal settlements in the northern West Bank that were built on private Palestinian land. Therefore, it is quite clear that there is no intent by Israel, as an occupying force, to de-escalate. Indeed, it is standing and aiding and abetting the escalating settler violence. Now is not the time for words but for action. What action will be taken? Will the Minister commit to the Irish Government raising this issue at the European Council meeting that is due to take place over the next number of days?

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