Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I speak not only in condemnation but in deep outrage at what we are witnessing in Gaza. More than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed over the past 19 months, children have been bombed in their homes, hospitals and shelters, starved due to the denial of aid and treated as pawns in a brutal campaign that flies in the face of every principle of international humanitarian law. Entire families have been wiped out in a matter of minutes, refugee camps have been flattened and hospitals have been deliberately targeted. These are not unfortunate by-products of conflict; they are deliberate acts and war crimes. We must call them that, which they are. Bombing and starving children is not just immoral; it is genocide. The Israeli Government has ignored calls for ceasefires, violated international law and imposed a blockade that has pushed Gaza to the brink of famine. The UN warns that 14,000 children may die before this weekend if aid does not reach them. That is not just a tragedy, it is a policy choice. The release of all hostages is essential. The atrocities of 7 October were abhorrent and must never be forgotten or excused but they do not justify the systemic and disproportionate assault on an entire civilian population. Collective punishment is illegal and unacceptable. It must end.

This crisis has laid bare the urgent need for meaningful international action. I welcome the decision by the European Union to review the EU-Israel association agreement over human rights concerns. This is a long overdue and vital step. Ireland and Spain first called for this review in early 2024. I commend our Government for persisting on this front. I ask it to look at a full suspension. The reality is that trade and economic co-operation cannot continue as normal with a state committing clear violations of international law. The EU must go further and suspend trade preferences where human rights abuses are evident. We must stop rewarding impunity. That is why the occupied territories Bill, which I have always fully supported, is more important than ever. With the EU now moving to review trade co-operation with Israel, the legal and international context for this Bill has fundamentally shifted. This legislation can no longer be delayed. It is not symbolic; it is a real, lawful expression of our values and obligations under international law. It is necessary. I welcome that it will be brought before the Cabinet next week.

I raise growing concerns about the implementation of the IHRA definition of antisemitism in this context. While we must always challenge and condemn antisemitism in all its forms, we cannot allow a definition, even one that is well intentioned, to be used as a shield for a government's actions or to silence criticism of clear human rights violations. The lead drafter of the IHRA definition, Kenneth Stern, warned that it is being misused to stifle free expression and legitimate debate. It is deeply worrying that adopting this definition in full could impede Ireland's ability to speak out clearly and credibly on Gaza or prevent civil society from advocating for Palestinian rights. Criticising the actions of the Israeli state is not antisemitic. It is our duty when those actions constitute war crimes.

This House cannot look away. We must continue to push, as this Government has pushed, for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, the lifting of the blockade, unfettered humanitarian access, legal accountability for war crimes under international law, the advancement of the occupied territories Bill, a full review of EU-Israel relations with a human rights focus and a suspension of the trade agreement for the breach of those human rights, and to ensure no flights in or out of this country are harbouring war weapons and that war bonds are not being sold through the Central Bank.

Peace, as we have seen in this country, will not come through violence or domination. It will only come through reconciliation, justice and a recognition of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, dignity and a future free from occupation and fear.

The Taoiseach has made extremely strong statements today and in the past, as has the Tánaiste. I welcome the fact we have such strong leadership in this country. It is acknowledged internationally that the position of the Irish Government is one of supporting the people of Palestine. A more collective understanding of the efforts the Government is, and has been, making is needed across this House, particularly in the context of the EU and trade. While I support and wish to see the occupied territories Bill advanced, there are natural concerns from Government. Hopefully, those concerns can now be overcome. The matter is coming before the Cabinet next week and we will hopefully see progress in that regard.

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