Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I echo the compliments that have been paid to the Minister, Deputy Martin. He has put forward the Irish position very positively. As Senator Leyden said, he follows in a very proud tradition that dates back to Mr. Frank Aiken and to the late Mr. Brian Lenihan in this context. I welcome the opportunity to join colleagues in condemning the actions of the Israeli commandos last Monday. I also echo the concerns expressed on all sides of the House for the safe return of the five Irish citizens. I am reassured by the Minister's comments that every effort is being made, at both ministerial and consular level, to ensure the rights of these citizens are protected and that they will get home safely.

It is necessary to frame this debate in the context of the absolute right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and to defend itself from attack, which is a common thread through many of the contributions. Indeed, that is the Government's position and it has been consistent in that regard. I will not join in a chorus of disapproval of Senator Quinn's contribution. The Senator was attempting, as often happens in this House particularly where the Middle East and Israel are concerned, to project the Israeli view. Whether it is right is not the point; there is an Israeli point of view. All the contributions made in the House suggest that Members have already researched the domestic Israeli position on what has happened. A unified approach is being taken by the Israeli people in supporting the military actions of their army, and we should not be surprised at that.

Israel faces many external and internal threats from groups and state actors who question its right to exist. However, we are now at a critical early phase in the aftermath of this conflict, where the involvement of the European Union and the influence of the United States will dictate what sanctions or actions emerge. The United States, which in the past has failed to hold the Israeli Government to account for human rights abuses, is part of the solution in light of this recent activity. This failure cannot continue. It highlights another problem for the Obama administration, the question of US credibility in the face of the international condemnation. The Obama administration risks cementing the Bush era hypocrisy label. That administration made a great deal of advocating democracy in the Arab world, and rightly so, but then worked to overturn electoral results it did not like.

President Obama has encouraged non-violent resistance for the Palestinians' pursuit of equality and freedom, and he made that clear in his speech in Cairo a year ago next Friday. I will outline the challenge that faces American politicians. Any Member of the Oireachtas who has had any engagement with American politicians, as I have had through bilateral arrangements between Congress and the Houses of the Oireachtas, will testify to the fact that there are two no-go areas among the issues for discussion with members of Congress, whether Republicans or Democrats. One is the death penalty and the other is Israel. Most American politicians are petrified of being seen to step out of line, mainly because of the activities of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the most effective pro-Israel lobby in the United States. If the AIPAC considers a candidate does not totally support Israel, it will fund an opposition candidate to unseat him or her. It has happened and will continue to happen. That is the challenge one faces.

There are brave people in the United States Congress. References have been made to the Goldstone report which was prepared, as Senator Leyden will know, by a Jewish judge and sanctioned and endorsed by the United Nations. Believe it or not, it was subject to an opposing resolution in the House of Representatives last November that was overwhelmingly carried. In other words, the House of Representatives rejected the report. However, some honourable people took part in that debate. One was Congressman Dennis Kicinich, a Democrat from Ohio. He made the following comment which is relevant to what happened this week: "Almost as serious as committing war crimes is covering up war crimes, pretending that war crimes were never committed and did not exist, because if this Congress votes to condemn a report it has not read concerning events it has totally ignored about violations of law of which it is unaware, it will have brought great shame to this institution." That sums up what is happening in the United States and the challenge the European Union will face.

I hope the Minister will not merely focus on achieving consensus among European Union member states, as has been suggested, as this would be extremely difficult. One has only to look at the rather bland statement by Baroness Ashton which coincided with the American statement expressing great regret and calling for an investigation. Beyond this there was nothing. This is because her hands are tied. Most European countries, particularly the bigger states, will not speak out in total condemnation of Israel. This is especially true of Germany which considers itself to have a guilty past in this regard. I hope the Minister will focus equally on the United States and hold bilateral discussions with his colleagues in Europe and the United States.

Several Senators have reflected on the fact that everything continues to be the same, no matter what happens. For them, I leave this quote: "In the aftermath of the crisis observers suggested Israel's diplomatic position and foreign reputation had been permanently tainted. The New York Times reported that Israel was facing its worst diplomatic crisis in two decades." Does that comment refer to the events of Monday last? No, it refers to the invasion of Gaza. This will continue, unless action is taken.

What happened is a source of deep embarrassment to the Israeli military. It is obvious there was not total consensus at Israeli Cabinet meetings last week and that resistance was not anticipated. One Minister is reported to have said the Cabinet thought the people on board the boats would turn and flee once the military personnel boarded and that they were caught unawares. This has been a military failure for the Israeli defence forces which pushed the expedition in the Israeli Cabinet, although there was dissent within it. The secretary to the Israeli Cabinet is quoted in Ha'aretz , the most influential newspaper in Israel, as saying he opposed the military intervention, that they should allow the boats to go into Gaza because not allowing them to do so would be a major public relations disaster for the state of Israel. There are sane voices, even within the Israeli Cabinet.

I wish the Minister well in what he has done. He is following a proud tradition and I hope he will continue to do so in tackling this intractable and complex problem.