Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Every day in Gaza brings a new atrocity and today is no different. The hospital in Khan Younis has been evacuated. This morning, the World Health Organization, WHO, issued a plea to the Israeli Government. Now we have powerful organisations basically just pleading with the Israeli Government not to commit war crimes. I do not know how much longer we have to sit back and watch that kind of savagery continue and not just refuse to take action, but actually reward those who have facilitated it. The Taoiseach says that he agrees with much of what I have said, that he is aware and that he is haunted by it. Incredibly, however, the Irish Government is supporting Ursula von der Leyen as the next European Commission President. Fine Gael at least were honest about their intentions in advance of the election. However, honesty is not a word that can credibly be attached to the position of Fianna Fáil on this issue. Von der Leyen and the EU institutions do not care about the massacre of Palestinians; that is the reality. While the Irish Government professes outrage and solidarity with the Palestinians, it is simultaneously supporting Von der Leyen and, therefore, trade with Israel, which has actually increased since this war started. Will the Taoiseach explain how that adds up? How is the Government using every available opportunity when it supports Ursula von der Leyen?

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