Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I must start my contribution to these statements on Gaza by mentioning the peaceful Global Sumud Flotilla, our friend and party colleague, Senator Chris Andrews, and all who are on the vital humanitarian mission. In the early hours of this morning, an armed vessel with no lights on approached the flotilla. Those on board the flotilla ships believe that this is an Israeli military vessel that is trying to intimidate them, damaging their communications systems and doing very dangerous manoeuvres circling the lead boats, Alma and Sirius. The flotilla is now on high alert as it is close to the high-risk zone where the Israeli Government has publicly stated it will stop the flotilla. The flotilla is being escorted by one Spanish and two Italian navy vessels, but those Governments have clarified that these are not expected to use military force. The Italians will turn their naval vessels around and return to base.

Now the flotilla is waiting for the Israelis to illegally board the ships, kidnap the activists and bring them to one large navy ship and, from there, to Ashdod port to be deported from Israel. The Israelis may even sink some of the flotilla ships as a punitive measure.

What are the Israelis scared of? The flotilla is only transporting humanitarian aid to the suffering, barely surviving population of Gaza. Food, medicine, baby formula and nappies - that is what Israel is scared of.

Israel has deliberately starved the people of Gaza. As of last week, it has killed over 66,000 Gazans, 217 journalists and media workers, 120 academics and over 224 humanitarian aid workers, a number that includes 179 employees of UNRWA. Independent sources have estimated that 80% of Palestinians killed are civilians. These are all war crimes.

This State, I am proud to say, is on the right side of history in speaking out against Israel's genocide. We have said all the right things but we must follow through with actions. We must pass the occupied territories Bill in its full form. We must press the EU to sanction Israel. Our EU Commissioner must raise this with the Commission. We and the EU must treat Israel as the genocidal apartheid rogue state that it is. Gaza needs us to be their voice as theirs is drowned out by the sound of Israeli bombs.

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