Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)

As a teenager, I was angered, interested and repulsed by the atrocities of the Second World War, as experienced through history classes, documentaries, Anne Frank's diaries and, in later years, exacerbated by visits to Auschwitz-Birkenau, Dachau and Treblinka. Surely this would not and could not happen again. An end to man's inhumanity to man, morality and Maslow would ensure that we had moved on, but no. The daily news reports and images, and the evocative and graphic contributions by Members are proof positive that we do not learn from history.

The announcement of the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement yesterday is welcome but I am sad to say it is long overdue. Sanctions against Russia were implemented with urgency. Why not against Israel? A balance between commerce, economics, well-being and indeed life and death must be the bedrock of this 21st century. I would refer Members to Rutger Bregman's book, Utopia for Realists.

Enough is enough now. Hamas's cause has gained exponentially from the barbaric atrocities carried out by Israel against the most vulnerable Palestinian children, older people and women. The Arab countries' agreement on a joint plan for the reconstruction of Gaza is welcome and urgent. I fear that Israel's future and especially that of the lives of its innocent citizens hangs in the balance. They will become more exposed and vulnerable because of warmongering, provocative and lethal actions. The ceasefire is required now. Let aid and food through to the Palestinian people.

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