Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)

I thank Labour Party and Deputy Duncan Smith for bringing this motion forward. I apologise to Deputy Smith that I cannot stay for the conclusion of the debate due to commitments at home. I listened intently to the Tánaiste's contribution and read it. One line reads, "If there is to be a two-state solution there must be two states". I believe in a two-state solution. Not everyone in this Chamber does but there must be two states.

It is hard to look at the situation and not wonder what will be left. What will be left of the West Bank? We should not forget the West Bank is being whittled away. There are attacks, human rights abuses and issues with aid there. Gaza is completely destroyed. It is more than demolished; it is incinerated. We see aerial maps of the cities, towns and camps from two or three years ago and what they are reduced to now. Whatever about the rubble and buildings, however, it is about the people of Gaza.

I made the point last week that the word "genocide" is a very loaded and heavy word. It should not be used lightly. How can one escape the conclusion that there is a deliberate attempt to destroy Gaza and eliminate the ability of the people of Gaza to live as a people? That is my opinion. I think of the most recent major allegation of genocide in my lifetime, which was in Rwanda. The international consensus now, and then, was that the international community stood by and watched it happen. I fear and believe the same thing is happening here. The international community is failing. If the genocide in Gaza looks different from what happened in Rwanda, it is because instead of a decentralised, inchoate genocide with machetes and terrible things, it is a powerful, wealthy state using all of its resources and technology to rain down death, misery and suffering. It is essential that Ireland uses its voice to the greatest extent possible at the international level.

The motion centres on the issue of aid because people are starving at this point. Fifty-seven children have been reported dead from malnutrition in Gaza as of 13 May. That is two weeks ago. It is likely others have died and many more will follow. The Israeli Government's denial of aid is deliberate. It will lead to famine if it continues. What has got through since international pressure has increased has been described as a teaspoon by António Guterres and as a drop in the bucket by the UN World Food Programme. There are countless amounts of food outside the borders. I also highlight the weaponising of aid by the Israeli Government and, indeed, the US Administration through the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. If we look at the kinds of things being talked about, including this organisation talking about people coming into compounds, it is not hard to see the echoes from our own history. Aid is being weaponised in the most terrible way and people are starving on account of it. Yes, of course the international community, through the UN General Assembly, has to stand up and be counted and do whatever is necessary to ensure food and aid get into Gaza and people do not starve and die unnecessarily because they cannot get the medical treatment they need.

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