Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will try to keep within the time limits and not go over things that have been mentioned by other Senators. We are at a critical juncture in the Middle East peace process with Palestine and Israel. As has been mentioned, Israel's continued settlement-building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is putting the existence of a two-state solution at risk. The recent backing by the Israeli cabinet of a Bill that would enshrine Israel as a Jewish state discriminates against the 20% of the population who are Arab Christians and Muslims. It is also discriminatory and treats minorities as second-class citizens. Even the Israeli Attorney General criticised the Bill for placing the Jewish nature of the state over its democratic nature. The dangerous politics that is being played with religious sites in occupied East Jerusalem at the moment could raise tensions to the point of reigniting a new intifada. As was mentioned by a number of Senators, we all watched as Israel bombarded the illegally blockaded the Gaza Strip, killing over 2,000 people and committing what many academics and critics said were war crimes. The Minister came to the House in the recess to discuss this.
At what point will the international community stop appeasing Israel by turning a blind eye to its war crimes and human rights abuses? Ireland and the international community have a responsibility to support the Palestinian people, especially at this critical moment, when things are hanging by a thread. The focus in the media has changed. We are not hearing any more about what is happening in Gaza and Palestine as we were during the summer, but the public needs to know that recent events have the situation reaching boiling point once again.
I mentioned during the summer when the Minister was here that it was wrong that we abstained on the UN Human Rights Council vote during the Gaza onslaught and it is wrong that we voted against the motion at the annual International Atomic Energy Agency meeting calling on Israel to sign up to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, NPT. It is disappointing that we have not led by example in the EU by officially recognising the state of Palestine. We continue to hear that Sweden has acted outside of agreed measures by unilaterally doing this, but we have not followed suit and shown similar leadership. If the Minister were to do this, he would have the overall support of the people of Ireland and of the Opposition parties in these Houses. There is an urgent need for a peaceful solution in the region and it is key that Ireland plays a role in aiding this process. Recognising the state of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital would go a long way towards assisting that peace process. I know the Minister and his predecessor have continued to seek a deal at EU level, but while the Palestinian people need the strong support of the EU, that does not stop us acting in parallel and independently on this.
Turning to other issues, I am horrified by the brutal and sectarian attacks by ISIS militants in Syria and Iraq. Their sexist, racist and sectarian agenda must be challenged and defeated. I commend the Kurdish communities that have been bravely fighting the attacks in northern Syria and Iraq and repelling ISIS advances on their liberated areas. These areas have seen a democratic and social revolution, which is a beacon of light for others in the Middle East, especially considering the issues of women's and minority rights. Unfortunately, Turkey's reaction during the battle of Kobani, for example, when its forces literally sat on their tanks as ISIS advanced on the towns, was shameful. I ask that the Minister's Department consider supplying these Kurdish communities with the humanitarian assistance they need and to ensure the transport and delivery is organised with the Kurdish authorities. There have been complaints that international aid meant for Kurdish areas sent to Ankara or Damascus has been misappropriated.
I am concerned about the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, especially in the east of the country. While the truce is still in place, a UN report last week stated that since the truce came into force, 957 people have been killed and there are continuing violations on both sides. That is an average of around 13 people killed per day.

In all, at least 4,300 people have been killed since the conflict erupted in April. Additionally, as winter is setting in, there is a real worry about gas supplies which come from Russia. Again, we call on all sides to abide by the ceasefire and for all Ukrainian forces to enter into dialogue. International actors need to stop interfering in Ukraine for geopolitical and selfish reasons. Rather, they should be encouraging peaceful negotiations.