Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Like other Deputies present, I have been watching the images, night after night, of the people of Gaza being subjected to a brutal aerial bombardment by the Government of Israel. Thousands of civilians, including hundreds of children, lie dead. As other Members have mentioned, vital public infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, have been destroyed. Vital supplies of food and medicine are running low and vital public services such as water and electricity have been shut off.

On top of the sense of horror and outrage one feels watching these events, there is also a feeling of powerlessness. It is at times like these that it is tempting to feel that there are simply no words. Yet, it is precisely at times like these that words are so important. Tonight, Dáil Éireann has an important opportunity to send a clear, unambiguous and unanimous signal to the world. We can use our voice to shape the voice of the European Union and, indeed, to shape the voice of the international community. Our choice of words tonight in our speeches, and in the motion that is eventually agreed, is absolutely vital. The single most important word that we can say tonight is "stop". There must be a full and unconditional ceasefire. Not a pause, but a full and unconditional ceasefire.

There must be condemnation of all violence against civilians, including Israel's violence against the people of Gaza. All hostages must be released to their loved ones. The forced displacement of Palestinians by the Government of Israel must end. Water, electricity, food and medical supplies must be immediately reinstated. As other speakers have said, the collective punishment of the people of Palestine has to end, and all breaches of international law must end. There must be a single, unified demand by the international community for dialogue.

As we know from our own peace process on this island, peace can only be secured through dialogue but peace also requires justice. In the case of the Middle East, that justice demands a free, secure and independent Palestine, and that is what this House must say tonight.

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