Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

Since this tragedy began 20 months ago, we have heard some of the most passionate and sincere contributions in this House from people whose concern is palpable about what we see transpiring before our eyes. Our inboxes over recent days have been inundated by correspondence from members of the Irish public right across the country who are concerned, troubled and heartbroken by what they see happening in Palestine. At the risk of repeating myself, when this conflict commenced with the Hamas attack and kidnapping on a kibbutz in Israel 20 months ago, I pointed out here in the Chamber that the terrorist organisation Hamas deserves to be brought to account. I also pointed out, however, that we have a right to expect that sovereign governments' behaviour will be far better than the behaviour of any terrorist organisation. The Netanyahu regime has shown itself in the intervening period. He has shown himself to be a monstrous leader and his Government a monstrous authority that has done so much damage not just to the Palestinian people whose lives they have taken and whose children and women they have slaughtered but to the State of Israel. The State of Israel has a right to exist. I respect and love the Jewish people but I deplore, detest and reject Netanyahu and his people.

We should not, however, be here today to just engage in the politics of condemnation because what the people who are emailing us are saying is enough talk, let us see some action. I am proud this Government has taken action and has been a leader among governments, not just in Europe but in the world, and while that may not be recognised sometimes in this House, it is bloody well recognised in neighbouring countries like Qatar, Türkiye, Morocco and many other countries in the region that Ireland has been firmly on the side of the people of Palestine.

I want to put forward a couple of quick proposals. Convoys of aid are gathered on the border waiting to get in while children are at risk of dying. Why does the UN not have the capacity to go in and provide safe corridors of access for those aid convoys? Why is the EU not doing what Deputy Tóibín suggested in providing airdrops of aid into the country? If the UN cannot do it and the EU cannot do it, why do we not try to put together an alliance of like-minded countries that would have the courage to do it?

We need to highlight to the world the purveyors of arms to Netanyahu. These countries and these people might as well go and slaughter the children of Palestine themselves because when they provide the arms to the government, they know what is going to be done with them. The US, Germany and the UK seem to be the principal providers. I do not think we could embarrass the Trump regime, but we can make an appeal to the decent American people over the head of Trump. We do not need to be skilled historians to understand the complexity of the relationship between Germany and the State of Israel, but Germany needs to realise it is not assisting the State of Israel by assisting Netanyahu. In fact, if it wants to assist the long-term development of the State of Israel, it will do it best by embargoing Netanyahu and his regime. Likewise, the British Government would do well to wake up and see the damage it is doing as well.

The EU-Israel Association Agreement has been referred to, and what the Taoiseach said this morning was valuable because to review something is purely tokenistic if it is going to take ages and if it is not accompanied by an immediate commitment to suspend.

We need to identify and name those countries that provide succour to Netanyahu or fail to condemn. They, too, are complicit. They, too, have the blood of the innocents on their hands. Let us all unite in calling for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace.

My wife and I look at TV every evening. We look at those little children with their wonderful brown eyes. We wonder what will happen to those children who survive this atrocity. What will they be doing and what will their attitude be in ten years' time? One thing is certain. Unless urgent action is taken, they will not have to be radicalised.

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