Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Right now all eyes are on Rafah and all hearts are with Rafah. There are 1.5 million people consolidated into a small area with each night bringing new terror. It is not only the people of Rafah under assault. Those who watch around the world know that what is being tested is the vision we have heard about for international human rights and humanity. Also being tested is the core principle, on which we are stronger because we are a neutral nation, that all lives matter, that human rights apply to everyone and that we are not in a world of big powers and interests but in a world where principles must apply.

Ireland has some actions that it can take to give leadership. These actions are strengthened by the fact of us being a neutral nation. These are actions that do not require us to wait for Europe but allow us to be first leaders. By the way, in the Tánaiste's speech he mentioned Operation Aspides. Apparently EU naval forces are heading down to protect commercial shipping going through the Red Sea but meanwhile the EU has not taken any action in respect of, for example, suspending the EU-Israel association agreement, something that does not require a review from the Commission. It is an action that can be taken immediately. We need to do better. We need to have this on the table at the EU Council meeting and call for immediate suspension. Even the ICJ preliminary ruling is enough.

We have legislation before the Houses that can be used. We have the occupied territories Bill. Failing to move forward on that legislation contributed to the international impunity which has seen such horrendous consequences. It needs to be acted on. We need a money message. The Irish Strategic Investment Fund should in no way be applied to the occupied territories. We should immediately take real action on UNRWA and call for an immediate ceasefire. We should also look to see what are the concrete pieces we can do. As with apartheid in the past, we do not need to wait for others in the EU to take the initiative and give leadership. The time for action is here. We will table some real proposals for actions tomorrow and we hope the Government will agree to them.