Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

If Israel wanted to get the soldier released it would not attack people, take out power stations and bridges and go door to door in Gaza. It would engage in a negotiated settlement to get the soldier released. It is trying to eliminate the Palestinian state. Members of the Hamas Government, who are democratically elected parliamentarians, have been arrested by the Israeli forces. As someone who supported America's involvement in Shannon — my nephew served with the forces during the war — I say to the American people that this action is being carried out in their name through a proxy, Israel, with the support of Condoleezza Rice and George Bush. I call on the United Nations to have a special meeting of the Security Council to curb the ambitions of the Israelis who are determined to wipe out the Palestinian state. That is the reality and if we do not make that call and stand idly by, we are not taking our position as Members of this House seriously.