Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)

The scenes of joy and relief in Gaza and Israel over recent days have been wonderful to witness. In particular, the release of hostages on both sides yesterday was incredibly emotional, but it struck me once more that even in this fragile peace, Palestinians continue to be dehumanised. Many of us have learned the names and personal stories of the Israeli hostages who were, rightly, released. However, there was no similar coverage for Palestinian hostages, many of whom were never charged with or convicted of any crime. Despite this, they have been referred to by the international media as prisoners, their illegal internment and torture in Israeli prisons never mentioned. We will probably never know their names or hear the stories of how some of them spent years, even decades, in Israeli detention without charge, only to return to a wasteland yesterday where Gaza used to be, to discover their family members had been wiped out in the genocide.

Of course, we hope with all of our hearts that this genocide is over, but we also have to face reality. Five Gazans were murdered by Israeli forces yesterday morning, just two days after they committed to a ceasefire. The simple fact of the matter is that the crimes and barbarity of the Israeli Government predate 7 October and in all likelihood will not come to an end with this peace deal. For decades, Palestinians have suffered under an apartheid regime and brutal occupation. In the West Bank, where Hamas does not have a presence, there were more than 1,000 violent settler attacks in the first eight months of this year alone.

This is why Ireland has a duty under international law to end all trade with illegal Israeli settlements. The Government had promised to enact its own version of the occupied territories Bill, which would do just that, but it has been slow-walking its passage all year and refusing to commit to including services, along with goods, as part of this legislation. Yesterday, the Taoiseach told the Dáil the feedback he is getting is that services are "not ... implementable", meaning a huge component of trade between Ireland and the illegal settlements will continue if this Bill is ever enacted. We need to see action and we need to see accountability. If services are omitted from the occupied territories Bill, it will be against the advice of the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee. It issued a report in July and recommended that services be included. The Taoiseach also had a letter from more than 400 lawyers and legal academics stating there is no reason services cannot be included, not to mention the strength of feeling among the general public.

Why is the Government intent on diluting the occupied territories Bill? We have seen today that the Government can act really quickly-----

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