Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)

I welcome the families of those who are on the flotilla. I express my solidarity and my support for what they are doing. What Israel has got away with over the past 80 years is nearly beyond words. Within the past 23 months, it has illegally bombed Iran, it has bombed Qatar, literally blowing up the negotiating table, it has bombed southern Lebanon, levelling large parts of it, and, of course, it has levelled Gaza, leaving more than 66,000 people dead. Some estimates say that up to 10,000 people could be buried under the rubble. We must condemn those attacks on civilians. We must also condemn what is happening to the people on the flotilla, including the attacks on them by drones sent by the Israelis in recent days. The courageous people on the flotilla are doing their utmost to expose the fact that we need a corridor open on a human rights basis to get food into Gaza. Trucks laden with food stand at the gates of Gaza. Inside, over 2 million people are starving. Words cannot describe what is happening.

We must demand that action be taken against Israel for what it is doing. We must ensure that action is taken in relation to the flotilla. I ask the Government to do everything it can to protect those on the flotilla. We must do everything possible to end the genocide. The starvation and bloodshed Netanyahu has caused in the past 23 months are beyond words. All hostages need to be released, including those belonging to the Palestinians. There are thousands of Palestinian imprisoned in inhuman conditions in Israeli jails. They are also hostages. I recognise and acknowledge that the Government has done a certain amount but we must pass the occupied territories Bill quickly. We also need to use all diplomatic options to protect the flotilla. The Government needs to press for an end to the EU-Israeli trade agreement. I know that it has been trying to get other governments on board. It should continue with that. That is welcome but we need to do everything we can. Along with others, this Government needs to use its power to get Israeli Government members in front of the International Criminal Court when this is over to face justice for what they have inflicted on these people over the past 80 years.

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