Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Starving people is not defence. Impoverishing and displacing people are not defence. Destruction of their hospitals is not defence. This is in fact an all-out offensive assault on a refugee population trapped in the world's largest open-air prison. The leadership of the international community condemns, deplores and expresses outrage but does not shout "Stop". Humanity now demands we call for a full and immediate ceasefire. Stop the slaughter of the Palestinians. Stop the bombardment of Gaza. End the blockade and create space for a dialogue. The Taoiseach has described Israel's bombardment of Gaza as collective punishment. He said it is in breach of international law. Will he condemn these actions by Israel? Will he demand the one thing that can transform this awful situation - an immediate and full ceasefire?

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