Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am about to do something I do not generally do, which is to quote the remarks of the Tánaiste. This follows on from some of the conversation on Palestine and the brutal actions of the racist and apartheid Israeli regime, which no longer even bothers to put up a pretence. He stated:

I am conscious that there is general consensus in the House about having a two-state solution and of the concern that Members have about this particular Israeli Government, with its very-far-right members who are articulating outrageous and racist comments in respect of Palestinians which, in themselves, represent an incitement to attacks on Palestinians and almost an endorsement of what happened in Huwara with the appalling attacks on Palestinian citizens there.

That is fairly straightforward but we have to get to the point of the Government accepting that we are dealing with an apartheid state. That has to be called out. All present accept that annexation is occurring and that this is a modern-day plantation of Palestinian lands. We know Israel is even rowing back on agreements made previously regarding illegal settlements but that is hardly shocking; it is what colonialists and planters do. We need to take action. Everyone in the international community pointed out apartheid South Africa as an apartheid state. I agree with the many previous speakers that we all welcome Vladimir Putin being called out as a war criminal. That is a necessity. If we are talking about the European Union, the international community and a rights-based system, however, we need to be sure we are fair across the board and that international law is not just for some but for all. We have to be clear. I have no problem with trying to create circumstances where agreement can be reached. We are not going to get full agreement at EU level, however, so there will be a necessity for the Government to be far braver than it has been previously.

As I stated, there was an acceptance in this Chamber that what the Israelis are at is annexation. Members heard what the Tánaiste said yesterday regarding a vile right-wing government. We know what is happening in the context of the murderous campaign being undertaken by Israel. We know the action that was taken against apartheid South Africa. We have to be part of starting that. The fact is that Israel does not care about a minor rap on the hand or whatever. It must be made to feel as it ought to feel be because it is an abhorrent and racist apartheid state that is involved in downright murder. What else can be said? We are not accepting such action from Russia, and rightfully so, and there is no way we should accept it from Israel. What can Ireland do? It can deal with those in Europe who are willing to deal with us. It can be as strong as possible and send out the signals. We all know what we cannot do but it is about what we can do. We need to recognise the state of Palestine and enact the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018. I do not need to hear about difficulties and obstacles relating to the Attorney General. There are some things we need to do. We need to do the right thing and we need to do it now. We will work with the European Union where necessary but we have to be a hell of a lot braver than we have been previously.

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