Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for her presentation and I pay tribute to Grannies for Palestine in highlighting the genocide against children in Gaza, the slaughter of children indiscriminately by indiscriminate bombing and now the indiscriminate shooting at food checkpoints, which we have witnessed via those who have captured those images on social media. We often complain about the use of social media in other spheres, but it is worth bearing in mind that without social media in Gaza the world would be literally blind to the appalling atrocities that have occurred there. Many journalists have paid with their lives trying to bring out the horrible truth of what is happening, the latest iteration being an idea around what a former Israeli Prime Minister has described as a concentration camp.

The Deputy has, to be fair to her, identified all the measures we have taken, and the occupied territories Bill will be a further measure we will take. It needs to be legislated for and debated fully in order that we are clear-eyed about it. It is largely symbolic, if we are honest, and, unfortunately, it seems, given everything that has happened to date, that Israel is oblivious to the views of people across Europe and oblivious to public opinion and international opinion and has sought consistently to denigrate and undermine multilateral organisations, including the United Nations, which is a very serious matter. I believe we should collectively call for the primacy of the United Nations in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza and indeed in the West Bank. There has been a consistent pattern of undermining UNRWA, OCHA and other UN agencies, without which life would be absolutely unbearable, and is unbearable now because, of course, they have been denied the opportunity to bring aid into Gaza.

As regards the European Union, we had a fairly honest discussion at the European Council, at which the issue arose as to who has influence over Israel. The United States has very significant leverage and influence over Israel. I would have thought other European countries have; I am not so sure now. The EU has made entreaties to Israel, and we are told further aid will come in. I will believe it when I see it. It cannot be a negotiation on the basis of "give us a bit and give us a bit". There has to be a comprehensive framework for the facilitation of humanitarian aid going into Gaza. That is not there yet. We have to engage with Europe and the US in order to keep that pressure on the need for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages but above all now-----

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