Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of apartheid. While we have a wide range of political views in this Chamber, I am confident nobody here would defend an ideology of apartheid or racism.

This summer, however, I visited an apartheid state, the State of Israel. There I saw at first hand the people of Palestine under occupation and subjugation. Some 4.5 million Palestinians live under Israeli military rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip while Israeli citizens live in over 200 illegal settlements. The two populations are separate and unequal. Palestinians in the West Bank face more than 500 checkpoints while Israeli settlers come and go as they please. Thousands of Palestinians have their houses routinely demolished each year as new Israeli settlements continue to expand. Israelis enjoy full citizenship and civilian courts, while Palestinians enjoy military courts, temporary citizenship and severe restrictions on their right to travel within their own country, even to see their own families. Up to 2,000 children have been murdered by Israeli forces since 2000.I could go on, but time is limited. I wish to highlight this evening's protest outside Tallaght Stadium before the Dundalk game, congratulate its organisers and call on anyone going to the game to join in the red card protest against the apartheid state of Israel. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to the House? Israel has announced that a further 2,500 illegal houses will be built on Palestinian land this year, so I would like to hear from the Minister what the Government is doing to oppose the Israeli plans.