Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)

Before I start, I extend my solidarity to the people of Palestine at this terrible time for them. What we have witnessed in the Palestinian territories over the past 24 months has been genocide - the wanton destruction of the territories, the murder of men, women and children in the most horrific air and ground attacks, and the blockading of a people. The denial of humanitarian aid to those who need it, including starving people, reminds us of our own Gorta Mór here in 1847. We have seen the denial of journalistic reporting from Palestine and the wide-scale murder of journalists based in Gaza. We have also seen state terrorism inflicted on the most vulnerable population by one of the most advanced military forces, unfortunately supported by America, the world has ever seen. We have witnessed genocide through the deliberate mass displacement of people and the killing of more than 66,000 people, including 25,000 children, which is an average of 2,750 people every month.

The vicious attacks on the Palestinian people have been going on for decades, yet they remain steadfast in their demand for self-determination, including the release of those interned by Israel, which includes the release of Marwan Barghouti, who has been in prison since 2002.

It is my sincere hope that a ceasefire can be declared and that the Israeli army halts its daily murder of civilians, as we see on our TV screens every single night. I also hope that the Israeli hostages currently held by a variety of militant groups in Gaza are released unharmed, and that all Palestinian prisoners are returned to their families.

We have seen a rogue state operate with impunity, yet despite overwhelming firepower, US armaments and political cover, Israel has failed to achieve its stated war aims, including the destruction of Hamas and the release or rescue of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

I am conscious that as we speak today, Irish citizens, including our Oireachtas colleague Senator Chris Andrews, are participating in a flotilla of humanitarian aid aimed at breaching Israel's blockade of Gaza. I am also conscious of the Israeli naval commando raid on a flotilla in 2010, in which nine activists were murdered by Israeli forces.

The European Union needs to do much more to pressurise the rogue state of Israel to end its appalling massacre of the Palestinian population. We also need to see the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement and an end to the unconditional and unqualified support of Israel by the EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.

Domestically, we must pass the occupied territories Bill without further delay. The Bill must include both trade and services. There is no credible excuse to drag this process out any further. We must enact the Bill as a matter of priority. I hope the Government will keep its election commitment to do so.

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