Results 1-10 of 10 for israel speaker:Barry Ward

Seanad: Europe Day: Statements (9 May 2024)

Barry Ward: ...all of these different traditions together. We see it even now in the context of what is happening in the Middle East. I was deeply ashamed when Ursula von der Leyen went to Tel Aviv and stood with an Israeli minister who was openly announcing that he was going to break international law and said she would stand with him. She has apologised for that but it is a demonstration of the...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Motion (21 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: ...many times, has identified in the motion a series of comprehensive actions that this State can and should take. I wish to focus in particular on the suggestion that we trigger Article 82 of the EU-Israel association agreement. That is a key aspect of this. Twenty-five percent of Israeli external trade is with the European Union. This is an area in which we can have a very strong impact...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (Resumed) (20 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: I thank the Minister of State. We have had an important discussion. What is extraordinary about this is that there is now worldwide recognition that what Israel has been doing is illegal, unjustifiable, disproportionate and contrary to all international law. That is the consensus that has grown in sensible countries. Of course, there are countries, many of which have a very particular...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: ...game and do their best to represent Ireland are now being put at the centre of a political controversy. They do not deserve that. What is really unfair is that the rhetoric now coming from the Israeli Basketball Association uses words like "antisemitism". I have said in this House before, to oppose Israeli policy in terms of Palestine is not antisemitism. It has nothing to do with...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Irish Aid (14 Dec 2023)

Barry Ward: ...issues that Irish Aid has identified there is the illegal seizure of land and demolition of homes. These are huge problems. It is disruptive, as well as being illegal. I was in Gaza in 2005 post disengagement, after the Israelis settlements there were demolished and the Israeli settlers were removed from the Gaza Strip. At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces were flying in over...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Irish Aid (14 Dec 2023)

Barry Ward: ...Francis. I agree that it is good that the motion for a ceasefire has been passed. I am disappointed by how few European Union states saw fit to vote for it. I do not understand the rhetoric of Israel that says that somehow, Gazans would be safer if there were not a ceasefire, because they are entitled to be governed by people other than Hamas. While I agree with that aim, there is no...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: ...with calls for a debate on that subject but I advise that Members should be careful about throwing that moniker around in respect of somebody who makes a conscious and justified decision to boycott Israel for a specific reason. That is justifiable and just because one is opposed to Israeli policy in the Middle East does not make one an anti-Semite. It is tremendously important to...

Seanad: Situation in Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel: Statements (17 May 2021)

Barry Ward: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I have had the privilege of visiting Israel on 14 or 15 occasions over the past 20 years. I remember the first time I visited I got a bus from Tel Aviv to Cairo through Gaza City and Rafah at the border during the intifada. It is so different. It seems that we have travelled so far backwards since then. As Irish people we, to a certain extent, understand...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Middle East (22 Oct 2020)

Barry Ward: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus gabhaim buíochas leis as an am a thabhairt dom ar an ábhar seo. I raise the issue of demolitions in the West Bank, which have been ongoing for years, by Israeli authorities of Palestinian facilities such as homes and businesses. These matters have continued unabated. It is estimated that in 2019, some 624 Palestinian-owned...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Middle East (22 Oct 2020)

Barry Ward: ...massive humanitarian issue here, there is also a simple breach of international law. There is also the fact that we are giving money to Palestine and it is being essentially destroyed or wasted by Israel. I hope the Minister of State can also give us a commitment that Israel's behaviour will not interfere with the Irish policy, including aid policy, to continue to support Palestinian...