Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Social Democrats on using their time this week to table this important motion. Once again I stand in the Chamber to plead with the Government to take decisive and meaningful action to stop the genocide happening right before our eyes. To quote Blinne ní Ghrálaigh on behalf of South Africa, this is "the first genocide in history where its victims are broadcasting their own destruction in real time." Each day, Palestinians caught in the crossfire haunt our screens, sharing the bloodied faces of their children, their piercing cries of agony sharply cutting through sounds of bombs and explosions. How many more innocent civilian lives must be lost before the Government acts with intent, meaning and substance?

The argument that Israel and its supporters tout is that Israel has a right to defend itself. While this is true, genocide is not an act of self-defence. Collective punishment is not an act of self-defence. These are acts of aggression. These are the acts of a more powerful nation exploiting a nation and a people who cannot defend themselves against the military might of the IDF and their allies. I want to reiterate that Ireland has historically always been on the side of the oppressed and not the oppressor. Our history requires us to see ourselves in the oppressed.

As a proud member of the Good Friday Agreement committee, I attend our meetings every Thursday and we have heard extensively about the architects of that agreement and the bravery those leaders showed at that time. With this in mind, where is this type of bravery from our leaders now? Why is it that responses from the Government seem cold and distant? Has the Government forgotten our history? If so, I can assure it that the Irish people have not. The thousands of emails and phone calls that my office has received from people in my constituency, the Minister of State's constituency and beyond show this. Do not wait until 22 February. Time is of the essence. Act now.

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