Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)

I hope the Tánaiste can clarify exactly what our position on the Palestinian state is because I am genuinely baffled. On one hand, we recognise the Palestinian state, we support the Palestinian people and we support the ICJ case but, on the other hand, Congressman Brian Mast was hosted in Leinster House last week. He believes all Palestinians are guilty, including Gazan babies. We have also had a severely repressive turn towards Palestine solidarity protests. The Tánaiste will be well aware of what happened to Mothers Against Genocide but last night a protest took place at the Westbury Hotel where the Central Bank Governor was speaking. It was an extremely peaceful protest. Protesters went to make their case heard that Ireland should not be processing Israeli bonds, which are essentially war bonds, on behalf of the EU, particularly when we are meant to support Palestine. Vanloads of gardaí arrived to remove the protestors. They manhandled them, arrested some and at least one person has been formally arrested. We are seeing protest in support of Palestine that is peaceful being criminalised. The IPSC has posted about this on all its platforms.

The Taoiseach seems more concerned about what Kneecap is doing and not the people who are coming to Leinster House and being feted. The Cathaoirleach of the Seanad put a photograph up of that man on his social media as if there was no problem. I am asking the Tánaiste as Minister for foreign affairs and security when we will do something actively to actually support Palestine like ruling out the military use of Shannon, passing the occupied territories Bill and stopping Israeli war bonds being processed in Ireland by the Central Bank?

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