Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Through all my years of involvement with this issue, I have also had good relations with the Histadrut and the labour movement in Israel. I have always felt there had to be a two-state solution, which is my position today.

I was disappointed when Hamas was elected. I felt the same as I did last year when the DUP was elected in the North. I said then as I say now that when the people speak, that voice must be accepted. I had the same discussion in this House almost ten years ago when the first Sinn Féin Deputy was elected. I said that when the people speak, we must accept the democratic mandate. That is the reality.

Hamas was elected and had to accept authority. Its past was behind it. They killed Irish soldiers, but so did the Israelis. Knocking one after the other off is bringing us nowhere.

There is no point in putting truisms into it. The reality is true. Although they moved in the recent document, I agree with Senator Moylan that they did not move far enough. I would say no word in favour of the Hamas constitution or any of its activities to date. I hope that with a democratic mandate and parliamentary responsibility it will do the right thing. Our goal is to make that happen.

Kidnapping can be called by different names by different people in different places, from rendition to kidnapping. It is equally bad wherever it happens and whoever does it. The idea that elected parliamentarians would be imprisoned by a foreign state must be anathema to all of us in this House. That is where it is wrong. It is wrong to continue to look at embargoes and sanctions because this treats babies, soldiers and terrorists alike. It is wrong and we cannot support it.

I want the Government to take up the cudgels, as it has always done. The current Government has shown courage in dealing with the Middle Eastern question and has been strong enough to take an independent view. It is time for that to be done again where necessary. It is not about taking sides but about making a judgement on what is wrong, when it is wrong and saying so. It is not about being on the side of left or right or being a liberal or otherwise but about making an ethical judgement as a person on what is right and wrong. It is about leaving history behind us and looking forward. That is what we must do. The West has let this go. Palestinians are suffering without electricity, water, light, with their hospitals affected, with soldiers, terrorists and babies being treated alike. It is wrong. It is time for the West to awake to this.