Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)

For two years, the people of this country have been watching a genocide unfold in Gaza in a complete state of disbelief, wondering how this can be allowed to happen and how so-called world leaders can stand idly by as that genocide is livestreamed before our eyes. I am not dismissing the fact that Ireland recognised the State of Palestine; it was welcome. It is also welcome that more countries are doing the same now, but, ultimately, there is barely anything left to recognise. Gaza has been reduced to mass graves and rubble. It is two years and too little, too late, not to mention the fact that some of those countries now recognising Palestine are still arming Israel. What exactly has it achieved? Israel has not hesitated in its continuing pursuit of wiping out a population. Why is there such a reluctance to take further action? That is so hard for people to comprehend. It is hard to even believe.

We see footage of multiple babies packed into one incubator. We see parents cradling the bodies of their dead children. We see journalist after journalist annihilated. We then see the Government still dithering over the occupied territories Bill. Israel is starving Gaza and then killing people as they line up for food and water. It is bombing hospitals and refugee camps. It even bombed the team that was trying to negotiate a peace deal. This has been going on for two years. What more could it possibly take for this Government to act with conviction, consequence and the might of the strength of feeling in this country? Where is the decisive action we saw when Russia invaded Ukraine? Where are the sanctions? Where is the proportionate, rational response to a genocide? The western world has watched it all and done nothing. Actually, less than nothing.

A proposal to suspend parts of the EU-Israel trade agreement is finally on the cards. Making the announcement last week, the Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, said she wanted to be very clear and stated, "the aim is not to punish Israel. The aim is to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.” Let me say that again: the aim is not to punish Israel. After Israel razed Gaza to the ground, murdered more than 20,000 children and bombed every hospital, this despicable and cowardly language is outrageous and shameful. As an EU citizen, I am ashamed of that response. Is the Minister ashamed too?

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