Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann:

condemns the attacks by Israel on civilians and human rights activists including Irish citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, seeking to deliver aid to the beleaguered and starving population of Gaza;

demands that:

— no action is taken by Israel that endangers the welfare or safety of peaceful Irish citizens and other human rights activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla;

— lnternational law is respected at all times and underlines that any activity targeting civilians or humanitarian workers is a breach of international law; and

— Israel completely and immediately lifts its blockade and allows the full resumption of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza at scale;

further condemns:

— the ongoing actions of the current Israeli government which have led to an unconscionable genocide in Gaza where a manmade famine has been declared; and

— the escalation of the Israeli military offensive in Gaza which will only lead to further bloodshed and suffering; and

further demands:

— an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages by Hamas, and immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access at scale into Gaza; and

— parties engage in a political pathway to resolve this brutal conflict on the basis of implementation of the two State solution and the New York Declaration.

I am pleased to move this all-party motion and thank all parties in the Dáil for the intensive work that has gone into it. It is an important all-party motion clearly condemning the attacks by Israel on civilians and human rights activists, including Irish citizens, participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla seeking to deliver aid to the beleaguered and starving population of Gaza. In the face of unfolding horrors, in the face of genocide in Gaza, this demonstration of unity by Dáil Éireann sends a powerful message.

As colleagues will be aware, the Global Sumud Flotilla departed from Barcelona on 1 September with a fleet of almost 50 vessels and participants from approximately 40 countries, all with the aim of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and seeking to open a sustained humanitarian corridor. While monitoring its progress over recent weeks, I have been acutely aware that there are 20 Irish participants on board, including colleagues from this and the other House, all of whom are motivated by the entirely understandable desire shared by many people around the world and this country to urgently address the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza as we continue to witness unspeakable scenes on a daily basis.

I, like many of my European counterparts, with whom I am in ongoing contact, was deeply disturbed and concerned by reports of attacks on the flotilla. These are clear breaches of international law. I reiterate in the strongest terms that no unlawful or violent act should be taken against those involved. I wholeheartedly condemn any attacks by Israel on civilians and human rights activists, including Irish citizens participating in the flotilla seeking to deliver aid to the starving population of Gaza. I was recently joined by the foreign ministers of 15 other countries, including Spain, in calling on all parties to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the flotilla and to respect international law and international humanitarian law. Any activity targeting civilians or humanitarian workers is a clear breach of international law. Any attacks against the vessels in international waters or illegal detention will and must lead to accountability.

As the motion clearly states, no action should be taken by Israel that endangers the welfare or safety of peaceful Irish citizens and other human rights activists, including more than 300 European citizens, aboard this flotilla. The welfare and safety of people aboard has to be a priority of the international community and the collective priority of those of us in this House.

I returned last week from UN General Assembly high-level week in New York, where the Middle East was a central focus of my agenda and the issue of the safety of the flotilla was very much to the fore of my mind. On 24 September, while in New York, I spoke directly to the EU's High Representative for foreign affairs and Vice President of the Commission, Kaja Kallas, and to EU counterparts about collectively raising our concerns in Tel Aviv and considering what can be done to ensure the safety and well-being of all those on board the flotilla. Today, I made further contact with the EU's High Representative and asked that she formally engage with Israeli authorities on this issue. I also raised the matter publicly in my intervention at the United Nations during a meeting of the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution. We will continue to raise our concerns through every available appropriate diplomatic channel and keep in close contact with my European counterparts, many of whose citizens are also on board the flotilla.

As Deputies will be aware, provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens is a cornerstone of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and one in which I take great pride. My officials try to provide a range of help and support to citizens abroad in a transparent, confidential and professional manner. In this case, as in all cases, my clear priority and that of my Department is to ensure the welfare of Irish citizens. While my Department's travel advice has always been clear, in this case as in all, my clear priority and that of my Department is to ensure the welfare of our citizens. I am conscious that a number of the families of participants in the flotilla are present today. I extend a warm welcome to them all and acknowledge their concerns for their loved ones undertaking this arduous journey, particularly in light of reported attacks on the vessels last week. I look forward to having an opportunity to speak directly to them shortly. I reassure them and those listening, including some on the flotilla, that my Department continues to be available to all Irish citizens on board.

We have already taken a number of steps and will continue to take more steps as long as necessary. Our embassy in Tel Aviv has notified Israeli authorities of the presence of Irish citizens on board the flotilla. Embassy officials are also closely co-ordinating with colleagues locally. Our ambassador in Israel has conveyed our concerns directly to the Israeli authorities and reiterated our call that no unlawful act should be taken against those involved.

Our officials, both in Dublin and in the region, remain in ongoing and close contact with EU counterparts on the matter. I want to stress that point. There are more than 300 European citizens on this flotilla so working together at a European level is absolutely vital, with the European Union speaking very strongly on this considering there are citizens from almost every member state present on the flotilla. That is really important and a point I conveyed to High Representative, Ms Kallas.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also liaised directly with the designated government point of contact for the Global Movement to Gaza flotilla delegation and will continue to do so. I want to thank the person acting as the government point of contact for the flotilla. It is an extraordinarily helpful and important contact point and one that we value.

When I spoke to Senator Chris Andrews, Deputy McDonald’s colleague who is a participant on the flotilla, in recent days, although we missed each other last night, I took the opportunity to reiterate to him my firm commitment to support the Irish citizens involved and asked that we keep in touch. I will continue to keep those lines of communication open. Today, I also expressed this same commitment to a Member of this House, Deputy Barry Heneghan, and the other Irish citizens on board the Thousand Madleens flotilla.

As we monitor the progress of the fleet of vessels taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, our focus remains on the appalling and horrific genocide we continue to witness in Gaza. I do not need to remind anyone in this House of the damning statistics, famine, children killed, tens of thousands left injured, disabled and thousands more missing who are buried under rubble. Fellow Deputies will, of course, also be aware of the conclusions of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. It is no longer our view, the view of this House, but the view of a UN commission of inquiry that there is genocide in Gaza. This is devastating and Ireland takes the finding extremely seriously. In this context, it is unsurprising and to their credit that many citizens feel moved to take action in response to the situation.

I truly hope, and we have been through these moments before, that yesterday's announcement is a step towards the peace that is so desperately needed. Progress is being made to secure an agreement that brings an end to the violence, the killing and famine in Gaza, secures the release of hostages and ensures vital humanitarian aid gets into Gaza. I welcome the sincere engagement of the states in the region, many of whom I had the opportunity to meet with directly in recent days, and their efforts to secure a path to peace and their work in engaging with the US, European countries and other international partners to advance this goal. This moment must be seized. The war has gone on for far too long. The human cost is unconscionable.

As the Global Sumud Flotilla continues on its journey through the Mediterranean we continue to closely monitor its passage and remain in contact with the participants and their designated representatives. Please be assured that the welfare of those Irish citizens involved remains my utmost priority and we will continue to work intensively, hourly, with our European and international counterparts to that end.

It is my hope that today will be an opportunity for Dáil Éireann to speak with one voice on the importance of ensuring the welfare and safety of the many Irish citizens and others aboard this flotilla. I am grateful we have all been able to work and pull together to bring forward and adopt this motion.

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