Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)

A few weeks ago, I raised the issue of Gaza here on the occasion of statements in respect of the European Council. I noted that we needed a united European voice in response to the conflict. Unfortunately, across the Continent we have not seen that united voice. I certainly welcome yesterday's news regarding the review of the trade deal but, sadly, since then the situation in Gaza has not changed. In fact, it has worsened, with fears of more deaths, starvation and destruction. It was reported this morning that 93 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza yesterday but, according to the UN, Israel's new security processes are preventing it from reaching Palestinians on the ground. I am at a loss for words at this stage of the conflict, knowing what we know now and seeing the atrocities unfold directly before our eyes, that the people of Gaza are being led to forced starvation. I have said before in this House that the memory of famine lives large in the Irish people. The idea that any state would be deliberately using starvation as a weapon of war is unconscionable.

I welcome the EU foreign affairs chief's indication that there will be a review of our trade arrangements with Israel, but I worry about the timeline of this. The people of Gaza need real solutions and driven action. They need it now, and Israel cannot be allowed to continue getting away in this manner. I particularly welcome the comments of the Taoiseach today in the Chamber that he not only welcomes the review but believes there should be a suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement while that is taking place. This would obviously go far further than the occupied territories Bill, which I and many other people hope to see passed in this House and in respect of which the Government proposes to bring legislation. Suspending the EU-Israel trade agreement would prevent trade between Israel and the entire EU bloc. The Government statement on that is welcome and I ask others around Europe to consider it.

The response of the Israeli Government to this conflict is wholly disproportionate. Whether or not there are breaches of international law - I believe there are and agree with the Taoiseach that there is a war crime here - we are seeing a complete lack of morality on the part of Israel, which has led to the atrocities in this conflict. To inflict hunger and suffering on a civilian population is immoral. What has continued to unfold day by day in Gaza is plain and simple genocide. We must remember that those who are suffering the most at the heart of this conflict are vulnerable children, the sick and the elderly.

I understand there are complexities and challenges to ensure the safe arrival of aid trucks to the region. However, the UN is now estimating that approximately 600 trucks per day are needed to address this humanitarian crisis. With only 93 trucks entering the region yesterday, this is entirely inadequate. We need a complete flooding of humanitarian aid into Gaza. We need the work of agencies like UNRWA to be supported. The Irish Government has not only supported it but protected it from other countries' attempts to demonise it. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb or desensitised. Judging from the emails that come into my inbox and the calls we get, the Irish people are not desensitised to this issue. There is a clear humanitarian blockade directly impacting on the assistance of people on the ground. Israel is pushing Gaza closer and closer to hunger and crisis.

Nothing I have said takes away from the horrible atrocity that took place on 7 October, the need to release hostages or the need for Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace in the long term. We have to cry stop, however, when such disproportionate action is taking place. Ireland has been a lonely voice on this for some time, as the previous speaker said, but t is welcome to see others coming to the table. I noted the presence of members of the House of Commons Procedure Committee in the House today when the Taoiseach made his comments. There was a very different debate in other countries on this issue. I welcome the fact that in some countries, people are waking up to the horror that is happening in Gaza. Violence without repercussions is just not tolerable.

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