Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Today, on Nakba day, we stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza and Palestine. Amid the horror of Netanyahu's genocidal siege on Gaza, the compassionate response of people here in Ireland has been notable. They have stood up for human rights, humanitarianism and international law. In recent weeks, we have seen this in the incredible activism of students in Trinity College Dublin and across other campuses. We have seen it this week in the generosity of spirit shown by Bohemian Football Club, the women's football team, supporters and others towards the Palestinian women's football team who are here. I saw it last week during a visit to Ratoath, in County Meath, when seven-year-old Minnie McDermott gave me a hand written letter she asked me to pass on to the Taoiseach, asking him to take stronger action to ban trade with Israel. She was distressed, as many children across Ireland are, to know about the boys and girls her age in Gaza being killed, living under siege and facing famine.

Across the island, communities are showing solidarity with the beleaguered people of Gaza. This is what makes the continuation of Irish trade with companies in the occupied territories all the more perverse. There have been positive moves from the Government, and I appreciate, as we all do, the movement of the Government towards recognition of the Palestinian state. That is very welcome. We have been proud of Ireland's steadfast support for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the horrendous killing in Gaza and the return of all hostages. Yet, those actions are undermined as long as Ireland remains financially embedded in Israel's economy.

While trade ties remain with Israel, we are indirectly funding all that we find so abhorrent, such as the incursion into Rafah, the destruction of aid at the border and the killing of children, medics and aid workers by the Israeli Defence Forces. There have been brutal scenes this week alone. In 2023, Ireland imported €3.6 billion worth of Israeli goods. In the first two months of this year alone, €608 million worth of Israeli goods came into the State and Ireland remains a top ten importer of goods from Israel. These statistics must appal all of those who are calling for action and taking steps in their lives to stand against war.

While we continue to wait for the delayed review of the EU-Israel association agreement at EU level, we need action now from the Government. We must urgently see passage of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill put forward by Senator Frances Black. The repeated dismissal by Government of Opposition proposals to sanction Israel are frustrating. We hear that the Government cannot legislate to bring about trade bans but the treaties governing EU trade make it clear that exceptions can be made where bilateral trade is contrary to public policy or public morals. As our Labour Party colleague, Niamh Hourigan put it, famine hovers over the people of Gaza as a horrific spectre but companies continue to export at leisure. Does the Minister agree that now is the time to pass the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill and introduce meaningful trade sanctions on Israel?

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