Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)

It is great to have the Minister of State here. We are all here speaking on the same matter, looking at the photos and the videos of what is happening in Gaza and the horrendous situation playing out right in front of our eyes. I utterly condemn the continuing Israeli military operations. I wish to speak about the fresh hell the Israeli Government has brought upon the Gazan people. There must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and the resumption of unhindered humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza at an unprecedented scale. Israel's humanitarian blockade is pushing Gaza closer to a hunger crisis, to starvation. Israel is starving the people of Palestine, and the blockade must be lifted immediately. What we are witnessing is nothing short of a humanitarian crisis and a catastrophe. The death toll among Palestinian civilians, particularly women and children, is absolutely unconscionable. The destruction of homes, schools, hospitals and other vital infrastructure is not accidental; it is systematic. We see the use of collective punishment, the denial of humanitarian aid and the deliberate targeting of civilian life and dignity. Let us be honest: these are not isolated incidents; they are war crimes. They are grave breaches of international humanitarian law. They demand a response that matches the scale of the injustice.

Palestinians in Gaza are still waiting for aid after Israel's so-called ending of the 11-week blockade on Sunday. The UN says its teams have not been able to distribute aid. UNRWA, the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, has said supplies are "sit waiting" in a warehouse just a few hours' drive from Gaza. People in Gaza tell the BBC that the situation is "getting harder every [single] day" as global experts warn of an imminent famine in the territory. It is said that 14,000 babies are at risk of dying in the next 48 hours. It is a shame on this world that we are allowing this to happen. Even to imagine what 14,000 little bodies, little people, look like and to think that the world is standing by - we are standing by and looking at starvation and those babies dying.

Europe cannot continue with business as usual. The EU-Israel Association Agreement, which was built upon mutual respect for human rights and democratic values, must be reassessed. Israel has absolutely breached those contractual obligations. Those values are not being upheld - not even remotely. Therefore, it is time for the European Union not only to review but to suspend that agreement. To continue trade and co-operation under these conditions would render those principles meaningless.

I acknowledge the strong and principled role the Irish Government has played throughout this crisis. Our voice on the international stage has been clear and consistent. I commend An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin. His leadership, his engagement with the UN, his call for a ceasefire and his efforts to ensure accountability have been recognised across Europe and beyond.

Ireland must continue to lead not just with words but actions. That is why this House must give serious consideration to the occupied territories Bill as soon as possible. This legislation would prohibit the import of goods from illegal settlements in occupied territories in an Act that aligns with international law and Ireland's long-standing commitment to human rights.

Let us be clear. This is not about being anti-Israel. It is about being pro-human rights, opposing the illegal annexation of land and saying international law must mean something even when politically inconvenient. Fianna Fáil has always stood for the principles of peace, justice and international co-operation. Our history in foreign affairs is rooted in the defence of multilateralism, diplomacy and the rule of law. In that spirit, we must all speak with a moral clarity and act with resolve. It is not a time for ambiguity; it is a time for Europe and Ireland to match our words with action. The people of Palestine have waited far too long for justice and for real and definite help. We owe it to them and the principles we claim to uphold - we need to act now.

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