Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

I thank everyone for their contributions. I will be clear from the outset, the attacks by Israel, which have all been detailed in this debate, are a further erosion of the principles of international humanitarian law that Israel is bound to comply with. People have been clear, as I am, in our condemnation of Hamas for its terror attack, for keeping people in captivity today and for the death and destruction it has brought to Palestinians and Israelis alike. Those hostages who Hamas is holding need to be released. We cannot be clearer about that.

Israel's plans to expand its military operation in Gaza and establish its prolonged presence is deeply alarming and will further compound an already dire situation. The humanitarian situation is horrific and the continuing blockade of humanitarian and commercial supplies for Gaza is rapidly deepening the hunger crisis in Gaza that has been outlined across this House. The UN World Food Programme has said that food stocks in Gaza are now depleted. UNICEF has warned that children are experiencing severe malnutrition. Israel must lift the blockade immediately. The obstruction of lifesaving aid by Israel is a violation of its international obligations. The Taoiseach said very clearly that it was a war crime. Israel must fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law. The Israeli security cabinet decided on 4 May that it would take control of the distribution of humanitarian aid as a condition of lifting the blockade. The UN has described this as unacceptable. The UN's humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, said it was a "cynical sideshow". Ireland has been clear from the outset. We get criticised a lot by the Opposition but we get equally trenchant criticism from the Israeli Government. When we meet people who have similar views to us on the situation there in terms of supporting a two-state solution and having huge empathy for the people of Palestine, I certainly get thanks from other ministers from other governments for the actions and the leadership of this particular Government.

The EU must of course speak clearly on this worrying development. The Taoiseach and others today, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl in particular, have said the EU works on the basis of unanimity. It has not been possible to get unanimity on some of the actions we would like to take in this situation and the reasons have been well set out. I welcome that the High Representative, Kaja Kallas, issued a joint statement with Commissioners Šuica and Lahbib on 7 May stating that the new mechanism that Israeli was engaging in was counter to humanitarian principles as underlined by UN agencies and humanitarian partners. We call upon the Israeli Government to immediately reverse its current policy, lift the blockade and let the humanitarian aid in to everybody. We are also absolutely clear - we cannot be clearer - that there cannot be any forced displacement of civilian populations anywhere, let alone in Gaza, and that Israel cannot occupy the Gaza Strip. This was made clear by Ireland and other EU member states recently at the EU-Israel Association Council in February. I am glad that this particular agreement is being reviewed. People can criticise it. Ireland was the first country along with Spain to look for this review and we have worked really hard as everybody in the Opposition has asked us to on a multilateral basis using our reputation and our neutral status. We have done all that and that has led to this today. However, it takes time with other member states of the European Union. We have been consistent in our leadership at EU and international levels in response to this conflict and our diplomats work really hard under the policy direction of Government. It is absolutely disgraceful today that two Irish diplomats were part of a planned diplomatic visit by a group of diplomats to Jenin with the Palestinian Authority when the Israel Defense Forces shot at them. Thankfully, no one was harmed. However, it is totally unacceptable to shoot at anybody but putting diplomatic representatives at risk, ordinary civil servants who are just going about their job on behalf of their country, we condemn in the strongest possible terms. It is absolutely outrageous.

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