Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator Regan's calls for a debate on recent events in Gaza. The Seanad was in recess when these happened and we did not have the opportunity to express our views on them in the Chamber. There is no doubt there was palpable outrage at these events throughout Irish society which was particularly well reflected in the Irish media. For that, some Israeli spokespersons gave us a rap on the knuckles, as if we were being partisan in our denunciations of what happened.

I can only refer to what was imposed on Gaza as sheer brutality and butchery. I am in no doubt that there was a connection between the timing of the invasion and the change of presidents in America. The intention was to make an impact and to virtually commit genocide against the people of the Gaza Strip before the US President, Mr. Bush, left office. It was also intended to make it more difficult for the new US President, Mr. Obama, to indicate his position on the matter.

I welcome, however, the appointment of George Mitchell as US envoy to the Middle East. He showed great integrity, insight and tenacity in Northern Ireland for which we owe him a great debt of gratitude. One would hope he will not be restricted or constrained by the American Administration in what he is expected to do in Gaza.

When people could no longer take the outrage they felt when they saw the bodies of innocent little children being carried from the rubble in Gaza, they referred to it as a second Holocaust. This upset some Jews at the time. Relatively, however, if six members of the one innocent family were wiped out, it is a holocaust to them and the survivors have the memory of their lives coming to an end when their loved ones were butchered in such a way. It may not go down well when I say Hamas has to be recognised in any talks because its representatives were elected by the people.