Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

Every time we speak in this Chamber about Palestine the situation is worse, but it is still important to speak about it in this Chamber, in our national Parliament, because that is a privilege people whose voices are being silenced do not have. Some 14,000 babies in Gaza are at risk of dying if humanitarian aid continues to be blocked. These are innocent, helpless lives, yet there is still no breakthrough. Tragically, we are not actually talking about them being "at risk" any more as it looks like it will become a certainty unless those blockades are removed. That would mean 14,000 innocent, helpless lives lost in fear, in pain and in misery.

Having spent time in Palestine I have seen at first hand the utter disdain with which the Israel Defense Forces treat Palestinians daily, and that was before this escalation. I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like now and I do not think any of us can. However, collectively we are heartbroken, devastated and sickened. That is because this is not hidden but happening right in front of us. That is what makes it really hard to understand and why we cannot comprehend why it just is not stopping and why the EU and the US are not doing more. It is not just horrific; it is deliberate, it is avoidable and it is happening in full view of the world. This week Israel has launched another intensification and that is despite international condemnation.

Because of Israel's deliberate actions, the humanitarian system in Palestine is crumbling. Food supplies are depleted, children are starving to death. UN agencies are being forced to shut operations right when they are needed the very most. UNRWA cannot fulfil its mandate any more. Aid workers, some of the kindest, bravest souls there are in our world, are being killed. Essential supplies are being used as a bargaining chip. Aid is being weaponised. That is the very essence of a war crime. It is a clear breach of international humanitarian law. Ireland has been a strong but often lonely voice on the international stage in support of the people of Palestine. We were among the first to formally recognise Palestine and intervene on the genocide case in the International Court of Justice. We have called Israel's actions out for what they are - war crimes.

As an elected representative, I have worked with Sadaka and others to help influence Irish, EU and UN foreign policy. Last week, I met again with the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, as I have done regularly since I was elected a councillor. She thanked Ireland for showing our continued international leadership. What struck me the most was that so many of her colleagues are lonely voices in the countries where they are posted. Many of her fellow ambassadors are still fighting uphill battles to get their governments in their countries to speak up for Palestine. I am so proud of the way in which Ireland has supported our ambassador of Palestine. I am in awe of her strength and all that she is doing for her people. Last week, she asked me to do something simple but powerful. She asked me to help Ireland use our diplomatic voice to influence the United States and the EU, which have significant sway and must do more to bring about a ceasefire. I commend my colleagues in the EU, the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, and the Tánaiste, because yesterday we saw some of that influence come to bear at EU level. We saw the correct and, in my view, overdue decision to review the EU-Israel association agreement. Given the ever-worsening situation in Palestine, that agreement should be suspended while the review happens. That is the bargaining chip the EU has right now if it backs the survival of 14,000 babies over the destruction of innocent, helpless lives. Of course we absolutely condemn Hamas's horrific attack on 7 October, but nothing justifies the collective punishment of an entire population like this.

What Israel is doing in Gaza and increasingly in the West Bank is not self-defence. It is the use of overwhelming force against a trapped civilian population and it has to stop. Ireland has not been afraid to say that loud and clear on the international stage but we need others to do it with us if we are to have a meaningful impact on Israel, and if we are to release those blockades and save those 14,000 babies.

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