Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The assertion by US President Donald Trump, the leader of the free world, that the dispossessed, impoverished and brutalised refugee population of Gaza should be permanently exiled to facilitate Israeli occupation and those wishing to construct a dystopian riviera is astounding in its cruelty and demonstrates utter disregard for human rights and international law. The only way to stop Israel is to sanction Israel. Just as Ireland took the lead by sanctioning apartheid South Africa in 1987, it must take the lead today by sanctioning apartheid, genocidal Israel. That means enacting the occupied territories Bill, the one that is here and ready to go, not some pale imitation. The amendment that the Tánaiste has proposed to our motion confirms that this Government has walked away from the occupied territories Bill. It is a blatant U-turn and a monumental act of bad faith designed to delay the imposition of sanctions against the Israeli regime. It is cynical and shameful.

Caithfidh an Rialtas an Bille um chríocha faoi fhorghabháil, an Bille a bhfuil tacaíocht an phobail tugtha dó, a achtú le práinn. Ní le haithris a fhaightear réidh le héifeacht na reachtaíochta. In 2008, the man who is now Taoiseach spoke at the unveiling of one of those plaques on Henry Street dedicated to the Dunnes Stores workers. He rightly said Ireland is proud of their courageous actions. Eleven shopworkers with no power other than their moral determination, principles and humanity stood up to apartheid South Africa and helped to defeat it. Today, the Tánaiste and Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach, hold the two most powerful offices in the land. To make a difference, they do not have to do what Mary Manning and her friends did 41 years ago. They do not have to stand for years on the picket line in the cold, wind and rain. They simply can enact the occupied territories Bill. They can step forward tonight and announce that to the world, and in doing so, they will give the people of Palestine that same light of hope the Dunnes Stores workers gave to Nelson Mandela in his prison cell. It is the hope that they are not alone, the hope that those who persecute, oppress and slaughter them will be confronted and held to account, and the hope that, one day, the sun will rise on the faces of their children in a time of freedom, justice, peace and nationhood. This hope is contained in the words and provisions of the occupied territories Bill. Any government truly on the side of humanity would enact it immediately. No ifs, buts, delays, prevarication or new legislation, but the occupied territories Bill now.

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