Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I add my voice to those who have spoken about the attack on the flotilla. Like Senator Quinn, I believe there are two sides to the story. Most reasonable people would have accepted in 1948 that there was a necessity for the Jewish people to establish the state of Israel, given the events of the Second World War, probably one of the darkest chapters in the history of the world. The six day war in 1967 resulted in the Occupied Territories being taken from the Palestinians and planted with Jewish people. This country has seen the results and consequences of such a policy. Therefore, we can empathise with the Palestinian people in this regard. This process must be unwound. The credibility of the United States, with regard to its foreign policy, especially in important areas such as Iran, is being put to the test. The United States should play a positive role at the United Nations to ensure there is an independent international inquiry to fully support the obtaining of the truth.