Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Ukrainian ambassador and acknowledge the incredible work she has done over the past two years. We are here today to recognise a very sombre anniversary. It is two years since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an event which has undeniably reshaped the contours of international relations, global security and the very notion of sovereignty. As we stand with the people of Ukraine, remembering their resilience and sacrifice, we must also extend our gaze to Gaza, where another regional conflict persists. Not to do so would be to validate the same hypocrisy which has underlined both conflicts. The parallels between Ukraine and Gaza are not absolute but they are instructive. Both regions have endured the pain of conflict, the loss of innocent lives and the daily erosion of hope.

In Ukraine, we have witnessed a nation’s fight for self-determination and territorial integrity against a larger aggressor. The images of cities turned to rubble, of families fleeing their homes and of soldiers defending their country’s sovereignty have moved the international community to both action and compassion. The action is manifested in the forms of sanctions against the aggressor, financial aid and global outpouring of support for the Ukrainian people against the Russian state. This solidarity is a testament to the world’s capacity for empathy and justice when international laws and human rights are threatened.

However, we must ask ourselves if our empathy extends beyond the borders of Europe. Does our commitment to sovereignty and to human rights hold firm regardless of geography? The international community’s reaction to these crises has been marked by accusations of double standards. While sanctions and widespread condemnations followed Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the response to the conflict in Palestine and to the invasion of Gaza has been far more muted with fewer repercussions for Israel; in fact, none at all. This disparity raises concerns about international hypocrisy. The selective application of principles, depending on geopolitical interests, has undermined public confidence in international institutions and norms.

The Irish State, with its longstanding policy of military neutrality, is uniquely positioned to address these concerns. Ireland’s neutrality is not merely a stance of non-participation in military alliances but a proactive commitment to peace. It has been hard fought for through dialogue and the rule of law. This principle has guided Ireland’s engagement in international affairs from its participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions to its advocacy for human rights and disarmament. The Irish perspective is that true security does not come from the might of arms but from the strength of justice and the universality of human rights. It is in this very context of Ukraine and Gaza that Ireland can and should leverage its moral and diplomatic influence to advocate for peaceful resolutions, for humanitarian aid and for respect for international law. We can do this by calling out inconsistencies in the international community’s response without fear or deference, whether they be from friend or foe.

The issue of international hypocrisy, as highlighted by the disparate reactions to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, is a significant challenge to the integrity of international relations and norms. It risks eroding public confidence in the very institutions which are supposed to safeguard peace and security worldwide. When the application of international law appears selective, the credibility of global governing structures is questioned, leading to cynicism and disillusion among nations and their citizens. We are seeing that in the world right now. In a world that is getting darker, Ireland can contribute to restoring faith in global institutions and to promoting a more just and peaceful order by advocating for equal and unbiased application of those very norms.

Comparisons can be made with some of the most horrifying aspects of the conflicts over the past two years in Ukraine. I am reminded of the bombing of the maternity hospital in Mariupol, which led us to all to realise that the full horror of war, on a scale we could never have imagined, was once again upon us. I think of women giving birth in Gaza at this very moment in time, when hospitals and maternity hospitals are equally being destroyed. These women are giving birth without any access to medication.

We have rightly heard tributes paid to Alexei Navalny who was targeted by Putin precisely because he sought to tell the truth. We cannot deny the same standard to journalists such as Shireen Abu Akleh in Palestine, who was murdered on live television before the conflict. Over 100 journalists in Gaza are being targeted right now because they have been telling the truth. Vladimir Putin was rightly referred to the International Criminal Court on a number of different bases, one being the kidnapping of children from Ukraine. I equally cannot step away from the fact that on a nearly weekly basis, I am watching children on the West Bank who out of some degree of defiance are throwing stones and are being met by a sniper rifle bullet killing them dead on the spot. We must apply these standards equally.

I will finish by saying that all of our communities have been enhanced by the more than 80,000 people who have come here from Ukraine seeking sanctuary. We will be enhanced by that for generations to come. We should never forget the reason they had to travel here. Ireland should and does stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We seek to hold to account those who brought that slaughter upon them but our efforts are undermined if we do not apply the same standard to what is happening in Gaza.

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