Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)

The terrorist state of Israel continues its campaign of horror, genocide, starvation and every war crime imaginable. Civilians queuing for food because they are desperate and starving are being slaughtered. Refugees in tents are being bombed. Only one of more than 20 hospitals is now able to operate, and with great difficulty. Water supplies are being cut. Medics and journalists are being murdered. That is not to mention what is going on in the West Bank with settlers and the Israeli militia.

The State of Israel continues to act with impunity. Many governments around the world, including EU governments, are assisting and should hang their heads in shame. They are colluding with Israel. The British Government is one such government. Meanwhile, Kneecap becomes the issue for singing and shouting slogans. Nothing is said about the Government of that state supplying Israel with weapons, etc.

The State of Israel, with the assistance of the US, targets Iran. I do not like the regime in Iran. Israel targeted it with bombs, supposedly to stop its nuclear programme, despite the fact that until recently, the US Government's position was that Iran was not developing nuclear weapons. A negotiated outcome with Iran should be the priority.

What can be done?

The hostages must be released, but this must include Palestinian hostages, the thousands of young boys incarcerated in the jails of Israel and being tortured and horribly treated. We in this State must pass the full occupied territories Bill to include services. We must pass measures in the Dáil to end the practice of the Central Bank issuing and approving the prospectuses for Israeli war bonds. The Taoiseach and the Government said they cannot do it. The Governor of the Central Bank has said it can be done if we put forward the measures here in this House. Gabriel Makhlouf has said this and contradicted the Government on this point. We should follow through on it. We should continue to work with EU states to try to get the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement. I welcome the work done on that by the Government, but we must continue with it. Regarding the stopping of the slaughter of civilians queuing for food, this must be brought to the International Court of Justice and added to the case there. We must continue to use all our diplomatic resources to press for a ceasefire and negotiations and to work towards a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel.

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