Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)

I thank the Chair, and the Social Democrats for bringing forward this motion today. The Green Party is pleased to co-sign this motion, which seeks to end the Central Bank's facilitation of the sale of Israeli bonds. We are deeply concerned that these bonds have, since October 2023, been marketed explicitly in the context of the ongoing war in Gaza, with statements from the Israeli Government describing them as supporting its military efforts. This situation is taking place in the shadow of dire findings from international legal bodies regarding Israel's actions in Gaza. In January 2024, the International Court of Justice found there was a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, a determination that, under the genocide convention, creates legal obligations for all states to act to prevent genocide and ensure they do not support or enable it in any way. In July 2024, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion declaring Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories unlawful and found its discriminatory policies violated international law, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination's ban on segregation and apartheid. The Central Bank has acknowledged that the bond prospectus refers clearly to the war in Gaza and to the intended use of these funds but stated it must operate within existing legal constraints. However, I believe this situation requires careful consideration of Ireland's obligations under international humanitarian law, and particularly under the genocide convention. This motion calls for the Government to urgently assert Ireland's obligations under the genocide convention and international humanitarian law, to direct the Central Bank accordingly and, if necessary, to introduce legislation to ensure full compliance with these obligations. The Green Party has consistently advocated for humanitarian access, a sustained ceasefire, the release of hostages and an end to the genocidal actions of the Israeli Government. This motion is not about politics. It is about upholding the standards we set for ourselves as a state and the values of peace, justice and the rule of law.

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