Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)

I extend my solidarity to the people of Palestine. We have watched in absolute horror the genocide inflicted on the people of Gaza. It is important to note that despite the ceasefire taking place, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed by this brutal Israeli military machine backed by weapons supplied by America. We have watched in growing horror the violence of Israeli settlers backed by the Israeli army, the police and the judiciary. The confiscation of homes and land is growing at a frightening pace and children are being murdered weekly trying to defend their land and their homes. That is why it is so frustrating to listen to the Minister of State’s speech. I listened to the Taoiseach yesterday talk about Russia and Ukraine and if he had just switched the words to "Israel and Palestine" imagine the difference that would make to what is going on, because he talked about everything that is also happening on a massive scale in Palestine and Gaza.

There was no distinction between goods and services in the promises made by the Government prior to the election and I say that because it has changed its tune again. This is about Israel being allowed act with impunity and that impunity must end. If we do not act now against the genocidal apartheid regime in Israel, the Government’s words on Ukraine will be hollow. The Government must pass the Bill without any further delay and it must include services. We need to impose sanctions on Israel because anything less is saying to the Israelis they can continue with their genocide, with destroying Gaza, with taking over as many homes and land as they want because we will sit by and watch.

See this speech in context