Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

First, I extend solidarity with the people of Palestine. What we bear witness to in Gaza is a starvation of a nation. The response of many world leaders over the past 19 months has been non-existent. It has been the actions of millions of ordinary people the world over who, at every moment, have challenged their governments’ failures. The Government has failed meaningfully to defend international law and to deploy, in most cases, meaningful sanction in the face of humanity. It has provided political cover for the genocide that has unfolded before our eyes. In the worst instances, ordinary people have challenged the Government for arming the rogue force.

The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste want to laud themselves as being one of the most pro-Palestinian governments. I caution them that their moral superiority is relative. In this case, it is relative to those who have provided political cover and weaponry of genocide to Israel and morally superior to those who in the past week have just woken up to the genocide after more than 50,000 people have been murdered and with 80 days of total siege. It is only now, when 14,000 babies are at the brink of death, the Government believes it is warranted to conduct a review of Israel for breaking human rights obligations. While I acknowledge the Government has joined the ICJ case, the Government believes this leaves it as the most pro-Palestinian in the world. It is a sad day for Ireland.

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