Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Bacik for raising the most serious and important of issues of our time in our world today. Even if we do not agree on the path to take, I thank her and many in opposition for their constructive engagement with Government. I too am proud that we are in a Parliament and country that was among the first in Europe and the world to call for a humanitarian ceasefire.

I am proud that we took the vote that we took at the UN. I am proud of the positions of our Taoiseach and Tánaiste. I am delighted that our Tánaiste will travel this evening to Egypt, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, continuing the diplomatic work that has called for peace, a ceasefire and, crucially, as the Deputy stated, the protection of Irish citizens trapped in Gaza.

Like the Deputy, I am thinking of Tom Hand and his family, including young Emily, who is likely to turn nine years of age on Friday while in captivity. I am sure that many of us held our children tighter last night when we saw the emotional scene of Tom Hand pleading for his daughter to be released.

There is absolutely no doubt that what Hamas did was despicable. We have all condemned it because it deserves condemnation. It was an act of terror on the people of Israel and should be condemned. Of course, Israel had a right to defend itself, but that original right has now become, in my view, a war on children. You cannot build peace on the mass graves of children. It is unfortunate that a country has become blinded by rage.

The Deputy and I differ in our views on the ambassador. Diplomacy is not the equivalent of endorsement, as the Deputy knows, and we do not just talk to those with whom we agree. All too often, it is more important to talk to those with whom we disagree. When we discuss Israel and its ambassador, we must be conscious that there are approximately 400 Irish troops on peacekeeping missions in the region. We must be conscious of the fact, as I know the Deputy is, that there are approximately 40 Irish citizens trapped in Gaza. We must be conscious of the fact that there is an Irish-Israeli girl being held hostage by Hamas. We need to keep talking. If we expelled the Israeli ambassador, Israel would expel our ambassador there, which would make us less productive in the work we have to do.

Regarding the International Criminal Court, the Government has been clear that all sides must be held accountable for the actions they commit. I am pleased that the International Criminal Court has confirmed that an active investigation into the situation in Palestine has been open since 2021. On the Tánaiste’s recommendation, the Government has today decided to make an additional financial allocation to the International Criminal Court specifically in the context of the ongoing investigation into the situation in Palestine and Gaza. This is a practical measure that the Government can take, and which the Deputy will welcome, to help the International Criminal Court. The court has confirmed that there is an active investigation and we want to ensure that the court is supported and resourced in its work.

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