Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Just over two minutes is not enough time to do justice to the need to discuss the atrocities taking place in Palestine. As children wake up without parents, mothers lose their entire families and worlds, and communities get wiped out, this Government has an important role to play. Israel is creating an entire generation of parentless children and childless parents. It is not killing its enemies. Rather, it is murdering innocent children. Nearly 50% of those killed in Palestine since the horrific events of 7 October were children. “Disappointing” does not describe the unbelievable failure of the European Council, which has not stood strongly enough against the genocide that is being committed. Given the history of our island and people, our leaders – the Taoiseach – should be the loudest voice at the table. The Taoiseach should send out the message as clear as day that we want a ceasefire now. The Government failed to call for one in its amendment to the motion this morning. Why is there such resistance? I do not understand why we cannot be honest with ourselves and the world about how this is genocide and we need a ceasefire. Why can the Government, on behalf of the Irish people, not say that? There are backbench TDs from Government parties who would support it.

They will have an opportunity to vote on it tonight. I am calling on everyone, and, even at this late stage, on the Taoiseach, to vote to call for a ceasefire in Palestine and an end to the genocide. Approximately 25,000 Palestinians have lost their lives and tens of thousands more have suffered savage injuries. At least a ceasefire would provide an opportunity to get the hospitals up and running. The Palestinians are being denied water, food, electricity and hospital services.

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