Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

-----and that is what needs to stop.

It is clear that the Irish Government has an opportunity to play a leadership role. Thankfully, many more states in Europe are beginning to shift their attitude towards the genocidal state that Israel has become. The reality is that this conflict did not start 18 months ago. It started in 1947 and has gone on since. The people of Palestine have been under the cosh of an imperial power since then, continually taking their territory and continually destroying their lives. What we have seen going on Gaza over the past little while is an absolute atrocity beyond the beyond and we have to step up and make a stand. This is an opportunity for the Irish State to lead in that. I appeal to the Minister to be part of that leadership and show the world that we will not be held back, that we, the Irish people who have struggled for centuries against imperialism, can lead the fight against imperialism today.

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