Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Last week in this Chamber I spoke about the murder of Shireen Abu Akleh and the shameful attacks on her funeral procession. I said that it was part of a pattern of Israeli violence and repression employed to suppress the voices of those highlighting human rights abuses in the region. I called for accountability and meaningful repercussions of the violation of international law.

There is an update to this saga. A European Parliament delegation to Palestine, which includes Irish MEPs, Chris McManus and my good friend, Grace O'Sullivan, has been blocked by Israel, making it necessary for them to call off their visit. Israel created this situation by refusing to allow the delegation to travel to Gaza, and by refusing the leader of the delegation, Manu Pineda MEP, access to the country, when he arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday. Impeding the delegation in this way is outrageous behaviour which warrants a robust response. There are precedents to follow here. In the past, when Russia and China took actions against MEPs, diplomatic and trade repercussions were imposed on them. The suspension of a massive EU-China trade deal is evidence of how seriously these matters should be taken and it is clear that the same standard needs to be applied in this case. This is what Mr. Pineda and my former Civil Engagement Group colleague, Grace O'Sullivan, have called for. Whenever calls are made in this Chamber for action against Israel, in light of its human rights abuses, the standard response is that maintaining diplomatic relations between Ireland and Israel is important so that Ireland can press for better treatment of Palestinians and the importance of upholding international law. I do not doubt the sincerity of this argument, but it is becoming increasingly untenable. It is very clear that Israel refuses any kind of meaningful scrutiny of its treatment of the Palestinian people. It refuses to be held accountable for its crimes.The only diplomacy that Israel is interested in is a stage-managed version, where criticism is muted and figures who express solidarity for Palestine's struggle for freedom are excluded. Ireland must stop validating this sham. If Irish and European diplomacy are unable to highlight the real issues on the ground, then it is not worth engaging. The restrictions that are being imposed on Members of the European Parliament who are carrying out their duties warrant a response from the European Union. I want this House to be briefed on what the position of the Irish permanent representative to the European Union will be on this issue. Will he echo the calls from Grace O'Sullivan MEP and Manu Pineda MEP for material consequences for Israel's restrictions on the work of the European Parliament?