Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I wish to be associated with the comments made about the murder of nine Turkish citizens on their way to Gaza. When I met the Minister for Foreign Affairs at lunchtime, I made the point that there should be a European Union response, not only one involving Ireland. We are small in size relative to Israel. There is the question of calling a special meeting of the European Union foreign Ministers with Baroness Ashton to adopt a united approach to the handling of this issue. Let us remember that just over one year ago some 1,200 citizens were murdered in the Gaza region in the invasion by Israel. That has been forgotten and the Americans have stood by the Israelis all this time. The only action that can really work is a trade embargo. We know nine people were murdered and may hold an inquiry into this event, but Israel will never respond, unless the European Union questions, considers and reconsiders the special position on trade between Israel and the rest of Europe. That will take action. I do not agree with the removal of our ambassador or the Israeli ambassador being expelled because they are the links with our citizens now held in Israel.