Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

What we are witnessing in Palestine is beyond what we can describe here in words. It is the systematic destruction of a people, of human beings - babies, adults, toddlers and older people. It is the destruction of their homes and their lands, their children, their very future, their dignity and their peace.

There is no denying that it is a genocide and there is absolutely no denying the utter depravity of the Israeli regime and its terrorist IDF at this point. The horror of all this has been enabled by decades of impunity.

The lie that Israel is a normal democracy is long gone, despite its frequent propaganda claims. It is an apartheid state. It ignores international law and it shows nothing but disdain for international human rights norms.

It is a rogue state, a settler colonial outpost and should be treated as the international pariah that it is. Despite all the words from all the Government party representatives here and all the Independent, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs, it still enjoys privileged access to EU and Irish markets. It still enjoys participation in cultural and sporting life internationally and unrestricted travel for its officials and for its military personnel.

Much has been said in this Chamber and internationally about the so-called "deal" on the table. It is not a peace process; it is an ultimatum. It is, as Lloyd George would have said, the threat of "immediate and terrible war". The irony is that war is ongoing in any case. It is an ultimatum to the Palestinian people to give up their people's right to freedom, dignity and self-determination and perhaps the killing will stop, but Netanyahu's own manoeuvring and briefing makes clear what we already know, which is that the Israeli regime has no interest in any genuine deal, peace or a future for the Palestinian people. To add insult to real and grave injury, it is placing this farce under the guidance of Tony Blair, a war criminal whose name will forever be tied to illegal wars, occupations and the mass killing of civilians.

Words are no longer enough. The Government must enact the occupied territories Bill now. The delay is a national embarrassment. The Government should be embarrassed and ashamed by the delay. The Bill needs to include services as well as goods. The Government should enact the Bill but, for God's sake, let us do more. Ireland must impose targeted sanctions and travel bans. We must block the use of our airspace, our seas and our ports for the transmission of munitions and weapons of war to Israel. We must make it clear that any Israeli war criminal who sets foot on our soil will be arrested and brought to The Hague to stand trial for war crimes.

Germany bears a heavy responsibility for the impunity enjoyed by Israel. If Germany wishes to add the guilt of supporting this genocide to its collective conscience, let it. The Germans can knock themselves out. However, we must not let our morals be bound by Germany's willingness to turn the other way and to allow "Never again" ring hollow.

The Global Sumud Flotilla approaches Gaza, as we speak, with food and medicine. If it is attacked and Irish or EU citizens are harmed, the Government must be prepared to respond with immediate political, diplomatic, travel and economic sanctions, decisively and without delay. I ask that they be prepared now so that they can be rolled out immediately. If the European Union, blocked by Germany and other countries, will not take action, we must act unilaterally or with other like-minded member states because we cannot allow this on our conscience.

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