Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

While the Taoiseach was away yesterday, the Ministerfor Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, took Leaders' Questions and he said that Israel is waging a war on children. Does the Taoiseach agree that Israel is waging a war on children? There is plenty of evidence to show that they are. Almost 5,000 children in Gaza have been killed by Israel. The bombs rain down on hospitals, including children’s hospitals. Babies have been taken out of incubators because the hospitals have run out of fuel as a result of the blockade imposed by Israel. Tanks are surrounding a children’s hospital. They are waging a war on children. How can the Government say, on the one hand, that Israel is waging a war on children and, on the other hand, say that we should not do anything about it? A few words of criticism in the face of genocide happening openly and brazenly before the entire world are simply not good enough. The Government has to take action.

Will the Taoiseach do what he did with regard to Russia and make a referral to the International Criminal Court? Will he impose economic sanctions on Israel and will he expel the Israeli ambassador? There is a disgusting piece from the ambassador in The Irish Timestoday. She says that it is Hamas which has helped “instigate as many Palestinian casualties and as much destruction as possible”. It is not the Israeli bombs, paid for by the US, which are responsible for the deaths. No. Apparently that is the responsibility of Hamas too. She has to go.

See this speech in context