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

I thank the Minister of State for being present to listen to us as we critique the recent EU Council meeting. Some two weeks ago here in this Chamber we heard in pre-EU Council meeting statements from several Deputies condemning the brutal actions of apartheid Israel and the murderous rampage it is waging on the Palestinian people. We asked that this condemnation be echoed at the Council meeting. Deputies spoke of the need for Ireland to assert its voice as one for peace on the Council and for Ireland to stand against the EU sprint towards mass militarisation. When we look at the post-meeting report, all we see is a commitment to further militarisation. There is not a single mention of addressing the brutal escalation of violence by apartheid Israel. In fact, the only mention of Israel is in the context of how to strengthen EU-Israel relations. It is clear from this why Ursula von der Leyen is highly tipped to take over as head of NATO. This is a reward for her clear commitment to ramping up the militarisation of the EU, for her helping to create an even bigger market for the military-industrial complex to profit from and for her ensuring that the EU will not stand in the way of arming rogue terror states like apartheid Israel. By the sounds of it, Ireland will also get its kickback for nodding politely as the EU heads down this destructive road. It appears that senior officials, elected representatives and Ministers are updating their CVs. That may explain why there is a push against neutrality. It might also explain why there is no resistance to the terror that Israel inflicts on Palestine day by day.

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