Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann: condemns the actions of the Israeli Government in Gaza, and the destruction and conditions of famine they have wrought on the Palestinian people, resulting in starvation, disease and death;

repeats its condemnation of the brutal attacks by Hamas in Israel on 7th October, 2023, its declaration that the taking of hostages is unconscionable, and its call for the release of all hostages by Hamas;

deeply regrets the failure of the global community to intervene to force the occupying force to lift its illegal blockade on humanitarian aid in place since 2nd March, 2025, and notes that the trickle of aid trucks now being allowed in over the last week is totally insufficient;

condemns the move by Israel and the United States to create their own private body to control aid distribution in Gaza that will not be impartial, neutral, or independent;

agrees that the Israeli Government is carrying out a genocide in Gaza, and is responsible for mass displacement, famine, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity;

welcomes the belated move by the European Union to review the Association Agreement with Israel, and further calls for its immediate suspension;

recognises that the United Nations (UN) Security Council has failed in its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security in Gaza, with over 55,000 people killed in the war to date including over 15,000 children, and a further 290,000 children on the brink of death;

recalls that the "Uniting for Peace" resolution 377 A (V), passed by the UN General Assembly in 1950, provides a mechanism for the UN to act in the absence of a unanimous decision by the Security Council, or a veto by one of the five permanent members; and

resolves therefore, that Dáil Éireann mandate the Government to call for a new Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly, where Ireland should table a resolution to:

— note the failure of the UN Security Council and international community to act to end Israel's war on Gaza; and

— call for collective measures to enable the development of a lasting ceasefire, a sustainable peace agreement and the creation of an international peacekeeping force for Gaza, to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid through the UN, and the protection of the safety and security of the Palestinian people.

I do not have to tell the Tánaiste or anyone in this House that thousands of lives - those of children, mothers, fathers and whole families - have been obliterated by Israel's actions in Gaza and the international community has failed to act. Homes are in ruins and schools and hospitals have been turned to rubble, yet the international community has failed to act. Israel has brought starvation, disease and endless suffering upon the people of Gaza and still the international community is failing to act. We need to act now.

The Irish people have not stayed silent. They feel a deep sense of cause with the people of Palestine because Ireland knows occupation and Irish people know what it means to be told your land is not your own, your identity is not your own and your future is not yours to decide. We often talk of Ireland having a unique perspective on world events due to our history. We see events in shades other than black and white but this issue, as it stands, is as black and white as it gets.

Israel is carrying out a genocide against the people of Gaza, facilitated by the United States and others. Israel is responsible for mass displacement, famine, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The attacks of 7 October 2023 were heinous. At every opportunity, they should be condemned. All remaining hostages need to be released. We need to be clear, however, that this confrontation did not begin on 7 October 2023. That date is unfortunately being used by Benjamin Netanyahu as a shield for his actions to this very day. It has become a way for the international community to hide from its own failure to force Israel, as an occupying force, to lift its illegal blockade on humanitarian aid and halt its offensive actions.

In respect of aid, what is happening with privatisation and weaponisation of aid into Gaza is an utter disgrace. Israel and the United States have moved to create their own private body, protected by private security, to control aid distribution in Gaza. This is being done to the horror of trusted, long-standing aid organisations, chiefly the United Nations. Following the resignation of the executive director of the organisation set up by Israel and the United States because it could not fulfil its mission in a way that adheres to humanitarian principles, it is abundantly clear that aid should be handled, delivered and led by the UN. We in the Labour Party echo the view that the UN and aid groups should push back against this new abhorrent system of delivering aid. We agree that Israel is trying to use food as a weapon of war and that a new system will not be effective. I have met with senior members and officials in UNWRA who have the experience and who know how to move rapidly to deliver aid within Gaza. The only blockade they face is that of Israel.

No act of terror or ideology can excuse what Israel has done. Many in the Israeli Government claim it is at war. This is not a war; it is the systematic destruction of a people. This is collective punishment, and it is a crime that Netanyahu and his Government need to answer for. It is important to highlight the words of UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, who, when speaking about the crimes Israel has committed, stated, “I am not someone who says history will judge them. They will have to be judged before then.” It is our responsibility to hold those in the Israeli Government accountable, and that is why we in the Labour Party have so strongly supported the International Court of Justice’s case and Ireland's support of it.

The Irish Government has done more than many for Palestine. The recognition of statehood is important. Providing medical care to individuals who have got out of the region is vital. We have sent aid supplies to the border for delivery. Unfortunately, these have been blocked. However, better than others is not good enough. We may be a small country, but nobody can doubt the impact we have made on this world. We need to utilise our diplomatic strength and history to help the Palestinian people. Israel's intentions are clear; it will move to take Gaza and it will not stop there. All the pretence of pretending that Israel only cares about Hamas and wants the Palestinian people to live in Gaza free of Hamas has been dropped. This is a systematic removal and destruction of a people unencumbered by other nations. This behaviour cannot be normalised.

While leading from the front can be treacherous, we have shown time and time again that we can do so and that others will follow. We need to be willing to lead the international community once again. The first signs that other countries are willing to follow is there. The United Kingdom, Germany, France and Canada have all made public statements pushing back against Israel in the past week. The international community has been too slow and has done too little, but the Government does not have to follow that course. The belated move by the EU to review the association agreement with Israel is welcome, but so far it is an exercise in circling the wagons. Our Government can take direct action, pass the occupied territories Bill and support the motion before the House.

It is not enough for the Tánaiste to say that the Government will not oppose the motion, we want him to state that it will action what this motion is calling for, namely a special emergency session of the UN General Assembly. The Palestinian people cannot wait for a review; they cannot wait any longer. Over 55,000 people have been killed in Gaza to date, including more than 15,000 children. A further 290,000 are on the brink of death. What about the UN Security Council's responsibility to prevent that? It failed in its responsibility and, through its inertia, has facilitated warmongering and the destruction of Gaza. The Government yesterday opposed a Sinn Féin Bill on the basis of the belief that it would not align with EU law. That is not a risk with our motion. We heard the Tánaiste commit yesterday to using every lever the Government has to help end the war in the region. This is an opportunity for the Government to back up those sentiments.

The United for Peace Resolution 377A(5) passed by the UN General Assembly in 1950 provides a mechanism for the UN to act in the absence of a unanimous decision by the UN Security Council or get around a veto by one of the latter's five members. This is a chance for more than a symbolic gesture. The UN has become paralysed by the competing interests of the permanent members of the UN Security Council. A resolution must note the failure of the UN Security Council and the international community to act to end Israel’s war in Gaza. It must also call for collective measures to enable the development of a lasting ceasefire, a sustainable peace agreement and the creation of an international peacekeeping force for Gaza to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

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