Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome the recognition of Palestine this week and I commend the Government, the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach for their work on this. However, I also thank my colleagues in the Opposition for their support of the Civil Engagement Group's arms embargo Bill yesterday. I thank them for listening to the voices of the Palestinians, who are calling out not just for a ceasefire, but an arms embargo to prevent Israel from acquiring the guns and bombs it is using to murder them. I thank them for listening to the hundreds of people who came to protest outside the gates of Leinster House and the thousands of people who sent emails to every Member of this House begging them to support the Bill. We in the Civil Engagement Group cannot accept the status quo whereby thousands of exemptions are granted to aeroplanes from countries which arm Israel, allowing them to transit weapons, munitions and dangerous goods through Ireland. It is very difficult to accept that the Minister will grant a request whenever there is one and will not even order inspections of the aircraft. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, already has all of the powers he needs to make a difference and we in the Civil Engagement Group will continue to persuade him to do so. I stand with the vast majority of Irish people whose solidarity with the people of Palestine is unbreakable and unconditional. I stand with the displaced people facing down death every day in Rafah. I stand with the people enduring violence from illegal settlers in Hebron and Masafer Yatta. I stand with the Palestinians who are living as second-class citizens in Israel under an apartheid regime, and with the Palestinian refugees scattered all over the world who long to return to their homeland, which is their legal and moral right. I am grateful to the many politicians, activists and experts who continue to champion the occupied territories Bill which, in the wake of the Government's belated recognition of Palestinian statehood, is more relevant and necessary than ever.Ireland must comply with international law and cease to trade with illegal settlements. That is absolutely vital. The people of Ireland, who continue to march in their thousands and tens of thousands have my respect and admiration. I hope and wish that their spirit and humanity continues to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. I hope and pray that it is better reflected in the policy of our State.