Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I begin by calling for the release of all hostages in Palestine, especially Emily Hand. The fact that children are imprisoned is one of the most horrific aspects of all of this. I remind colleagues not to forget the 173 children being interned by the Israeli authorities. That was the latest figure I could find this morning from the B'Tselem Jewish human rights group. A total of 173 children have been interned with no charges brought. They have just been imprisoned so let us remember them as well.

I want to address the issue of the Israeli ambassador. I appreciate that it is a difficult issue. It is in only the most exceptional circumstances that we should call for the expulsion of an ambassador but I have to be frank. We are witnessing genocide. I do not think anyone really disagrees with that. Indeed the Deputy Leader used the word "holocaust" yesterday, which is justified in terms of what we are witnessing. In these circumstances, when the Israeli Government makes it clear that it will not listen to anyone and continues carpet bombing and mass murdering children, women and innocent civilians and the death toll is up to 11,000 or more, we have to do more. What I am calling for is a coalition of the willing in this respect to stand up because if we do not take this action now, history will reflect very poorly on all of us. The question I ask the Leader today, if she does not agree with taking those steps and I understand that she does not, what consequences is she proposing for Israel because from what I can see, no consequences are being proposed by this Government? In light of genocide taking place, the mass murder of innocent civilians day after day and week after week, no consequences are being proposed by the Government. How can that possibly be good enough?