Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)

What is happening in Gaza and the West Bank is, by definition, genocide, which is defined as an unimaginable horror during which millions of innocent people are targeted based on their race, religion, nationality or other factors. Within the last few days, we have heard surgeons documenting their stories about the horrific attacks and bombardment of innocent children across Palestine. One such doctor, Dr. Sam Attar, on Sky News only yesterday described how a father had arrived at the hospital with a plastic bag. Inside was his daughter's head, arm and leg. He asked where the morgue was and where he could bury his child. In the doctor's words, this is not right; it is not natural.

This is one of the many reasons that demands that we, as a small nation, must take a stand. We must protect and promote tolerance, understanding and, above all, human rights, especially the right to self-determination. We can do this tonight by allowing the passage of the Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025. This Bill will allow the Minister to restrict the sale of Israeli bonds - in reality, war bonds - through the Irish Central Bank. It brings to mind a quote from the banker, Baron Rothschild, that the time to buy is when there is blood in the streets. There is innocent blood spilled on every street in Gaza. It is time to stop the blood money flowing from the Irish Central Bank to the war machine in Israel. The Government, in all conscience, cannot allow this to continue. If we do, we are complicit in financing barbaric war crimes and complicit in the extermination of the Palestinian people.

This legislation is based on the fundamental principle of public policy grounds, inclusive of Ireland's obligation to uphold international law. It is constitutionally compliant with Irish law and European law and professionally drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers. It is time for action. It is time to listen to the Irish people. It is time to outlaw the sale of Israeli war bonds and pass the occupied territories Bill. It is time to do the right thing. It is time to pass this Bill.

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