Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The sudden escalation in violence in the Middle East on 7 October began with the horrific attacks by Hamas in Israel resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 people. I condemn these attacks unreservedly. The brutal Hamas attacks involved the deliberate targeting of civilians and the taking of hostages including children and displayed utter disregard for human life. It is hard to believe that human beings can do such barbaric things to fellow human beings. We are all clear that Israel had the right to defend itself but any response had to be proportionate. Clearly Israel’s response has been anything but proportionate. It has failed to distinguish between Hamas and the civilian population of Gaza and has engaged in a savage collective punishment of innocent people. Daily Israeli air strikes on Gaza have led to the deaths of over 2,800 people and rising, including 700 children. The rules of international humanitarian law are being systematically flouted. Civilians and civilian infrastructure are being targeted. The advice being given to the entire civilian population in northern Gaza to move south is outrageous and dangerous. The cutting off of water, electricity, food and medical supplies to Gaza must also be strongly condemned. Gaza is now facing a humanitarian catastrophe. The people of Gaza need urgent humanitarian support. The United Nations, the EU and the US President, now in the region, need to do everything possible to establish safe corridors including the Rafah crossing. President Biden in particular needs to persuade Israel to call off its proposed ground invasion and de-escalate the endless cycle of violence and bring about a ceasefire. It is beyond doubt that Israel’s consistent oppression of Palestinian people has led us to this catastrophe. I refer to the pursuance of apartheid policies, the denial of rights and the policy of demolitions, resettlement, expulsions and transfers in the occupied Palestinian territories. Moreover, the coming to power of a far-right government in Israel led by Benjamin Netanyahu has made matters worse.

It is a fact that the EU for various economic, political and historical reasons is divided when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian question. I believe the EU and the international community has abdicated the responsibility to try to bring about a just and lasting solution in the region. They need to demand respect for international law and the basic human rights of the Palestinian people. I welcome the fact that Ireland is to the forefront in trying to build a consensus among member states to change the direction of the EU in this regard. I ask the Tánaiste to continue with his invaluable work in this respect.

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