Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)

Roads, schools, hospitals, and homes: none of these exists in Gaza anymore. What was once a densely populated strip, already suffering from decades of siege and blockade, has now become a graveyard of rubble, broken lives and broken dreams. Entire families have been erased and communities have been turned to dust, yet the world continues to watch on. We have entered an era where genocide is not just happening in real time, but it is being livestreamed across social media platforms. The normalisation of mass murder and the casual strolling past images of lifeless children and bombed-out schools is a stain on our humanity.

It is a complete dehumanisation. We saw over the weekend images of Dr. al-Najjar, a paediatrician who has dedicated her life to children, holding the bodies of her dead children, one just six months old. Only one of her ten children survived. This is not just conflict or war; it is a ruthless campaign of bombardment designed to wipe out a people. Let us be clear - this is happening under the banner of an illegal occupation. Israel's actions are not defensive, they are oppressive and a direct violation of international law. Hospitals are being bombed and journalists and humanitarian workers are being killed while trying to do their jobs. The symbol of the Red Cross, a symbol of hope and relief, has become a target. Yet, the Government and the international community hesitate. We make statements but statements do not stop missiles, rebuild homes or bring back the dead. As a nation, Ireland has led the charge to stand up to say "no more" but this Government needs to take stronger action. No more silence or pretending that neutrality in the face of genocide is anything but support the State of Israel. We are complicit as we continue to hesitate to take the most basic measures to support the Palestinian people. Only by coming together in solidarity can we help move Israel off the current path of apartheid, displacement and mass murder. As we fight for peace let us remember what peace really means.

I will finish by paraphrasing the words of Omar Barghouti, one of the founders of the BDS movement. Peace is not just bombs stopping, peace is not just not killing people, peace is quietness. Peace is no bombs, no gunshots, no mothers crying over the bodies of their dead children. Peace is safety - a community of people living without fear. Peace is freedom. Peace is justice. Until Gaza knows peace, we cannot.

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