Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy should acknowledge that two of the stronger MEPs on the Palestine question over the last four years have been Barry Andrews and Billy Kelleher. They have been robust, they have visited the area and they have been strong in respect of upholding the right of Palestinians to their homeland and state and having a fair resolution of the conflict. It is shocking that Israel has indicated this morning that this war could go to the end of the year. The suffering is horrific and the consequences are dire for Palestinians across Gaza and particularly in Rafah at the moment. That is why, at the last Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday, there was a call, which I supported, with a proviso that there would be a convening of the EU-Israel Association Council with a view to raising our grave concerns about what is happening. Regarding European institutions, much will depend on what happens in the European Parliament elections.

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