Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With the focus being on the two-state solution, and then recognising that the two-state solution is becoming more and more unattainable as a result of the actions of the Israeli Government, to me point to a need for greater urgency. To repeat the point, this has to be followed by substantive actions because Ireland being considered hostile to the Israeli Government's policies is something I would not be one bit ashamed of. As the Minister rightly says, our position is in defence of international law which is being breached every single day by the Israeli Government at the cost of very significant suffering by the Palestinian people.

A number of initiatives have been brought to this House. One is the recognition of the state of Palestine, one is the occupied territories Bill, one is the illegal Israeli settlements divestments Bill, and on every one of those the Government always has a reason not to proceed just yet. There is always a waiting game involved. I will ask for the third time: what specific actions is the Government going to take, unilaterally if needs be, to send that very clear message that the ongoing expansion of settlements and the ongoing apartheid regime of Israel against the Palestinian people is simply not acceptable to us or, I believe, to the majority of humanity?

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