Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday evening I had the pleasure as the chair of the cross-party Oireachtas Friends of Palestine committee to be present in the audiovisual room to watch one of the most powerful and upsetting films I have ever seen, entitled "This is Palestine". Directors John and Gerry McColgan, working alongside Trócaire, have produced a great piece of work showing the everyday lives of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories and the apartheid nature of the Israeli state. The horrific conditions of life in the Gaza Strip were seen through the eyes of people living there. The interview with the couple who lost all their young children when their home was bombed by Israeli forces in the 2014 war was possibly the most upsetting thing I have ever seen. The parents of those children were still traumatised. They spoke about their children's heads being blown off; it was horrendous.

The hopelessness felt by the Palestinian people must be addressed. The occupation of lands and the internal displacement of Palestinians in the occupied territories is in contravention of international law. While most countries pay lip service to the idea of a two-state solution, it is now time for the formal recognition of Palestine as a state. This can be enacted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I would like to know when that is going to happen.

I urge everybody to view this film, as to plead ignorance of the injustice being inflicted on the Palestinian people is no defence. As was once said, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. I urge all Senators and Deputies to watch this excellent film and to speak out about the injustices being inflicted on the Palestinian people. I intend to send out this film through a link to everybody in the House and I encourage people to watch it to see what is going on over there and the horrendous conditions in which people are living.