Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leader for her commitment to hold a debate on the events of the weekend. I thank all Members of the House for their temperate remarks, which were condemnatory but also understanding of the situation. I thank Senators for their remarks. Indiscriminate kidnapping and killing are wrong. I had the pleasure of meeting the new Israeli ambassador last week. I met Mr. Amir Ohana, the Speaker of the Knesset, at the EU speakers' conference. The words of John Hume are ones we should all listen to today. He said:

Difference is the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore never be the source of hatred or conflict ... Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace - respect for diversity.

I thank Members for their conciliatory words this afternoon.