Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday there were calls for a debate in the House on the Arab-Israeli conflict. I want to support those calls. It is time that we have a reasoned, logical discussion in the Chamber about the ongoing war between Palestine and Israel. It is fair to say that the narrative on this conflict has been almost entirely one-sided, pro-Palestinian, in these Houses and in this House, particularly from the opposite benches, where it is seen that there is only one good side and one bad side. If we in Ireland have learned anything over the years, surely we have learned that conflict is never going to be resolved by people who have that mentality.The call comes on foot of the death of Khader Adnan, who was on hunger strike, the day before yesterday. Khader Adnan is presented as a martyr. Any man who is prepared to die for his principles must be admired to a certain extent, but I wish to point out that Khader Adnan was a man with a long history of terrorist and incitement to activity. He was a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the EU. There are documented videos of him calling on, and urging, Palestinian people to strap explosives around their bodies and to go into crowed areas in Israel to indiscriminately kill people. I am not saying that the Israelis are angels. There are never any angels on the side of any conflict but people are entitled to a fair hearing.

I saw on Facebook the other day a big banner - I think it was outside these Houses - saying "LGBT Stand with Palestine". Hamas and Hezbollah would, if they could, wipe out the LGBT community.