Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Nearly 100,000 Palestinians have been killed, reported missing or wounded in Gaza since Israel began its military operation three months ago. Among that number are 25,000 people who have been confirmed dead, two thirds of whom are women and children. Eighty-five percent of the population has been displaced. The healthcare system has collapsed, and operations like amputations and Caesarean sections are being performed without anaesthetic or any form of pain relief. What has this world come to?

A ceasefire is needed. Israel needs to be held accountable, as do the other parties involved. Hamas terrorist organisations must also be held accountable in the same way as Israel. The last time I spoke on this issue, I was falsely taken as not having condemned the actions of Israel. I do condemn the actions of Israel, as I do those of Hamas. I also stand by the decision not to dismiss the ambassador of Israel to Ireland because, when in a position of war, channels of communication are vital. Those wanting to close such channels would make working towards peace impossible. It is something I stand by. All parties should be held accountable for their inhumane actions. I did not support the calls for the dismissal of an ambassador who was our only channel of communication at a time when we needed help rescuing Irish people in Gaza. I stand by that. I will stand by that in the future. We have to keep communication lines open to ensure peace. I also stand by the fact that Israel and Hamas must be held accountable. We must do everything in our power across the floor of this House and across the world to make sure they are held accountable. Foremost, I want peace. The killing must stop. We must stop people - women and children - from having to go through operations and amputations without any form of pain relief or anaesthetic. That is not what Ireland is about. Ireland wants peace. I will do anything I can to help get that peace.

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