Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

More than 37,900 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed over the past nine months, including nearly 15,000 children. On some level, what we have all seen happening on our TV screens is unreal. Israel has refused calls for a summit of the state parties to the EU-Israel association agreement to discuss its compliance with its human rights obligations under the summit. The Commission President has blocked the commissioning of an independent review.

The Taoiseach has obviously endorsed and supports a second term for Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President. Did he raise the letter of his predecessor, seeking a review of the agreement, with her? What answer did she give? Does the Taoiseach see any movement from other European states regarding a review of this? I appeal to all Irish MEPs, including those in the Taoiseach's party and in government, to join Sinn Féin and other Irish MEPs and reject the reappointment of a Commission President who has provided political cover for genocide. I have spoken about our need to move on this State's divestment from companies involved in illegal settlements and our legislation in regard to that. As has been said, we know many EU states, such as Germany, provide weapons and are parties to the genocide. We need to see a hell of a lot more bravery from European states.

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