Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming along to take this Commencement matter.

I want to raise the case of Jehad Sabah. He is a 57-year-old man. He has managed to get away from Gaza and all of the destruction there. He is currently being held at El Arish hospital in North Sinai in Egypt. Jehad's daughter, Walaa Sabah is here. Ahlan wa sahlan, I welcome her to this House. Jehad is suffering from a serious cardiac condition. He is only 57.He has been told that El Arish hospital does not have the specialists to treat him. He is effectively detained there, along with Walaa's mum, Rina, who is 51. The ask is that the Minister for Justice facilitate a visa for them to come here to be reunited with their daughter, Walaa, who works with the Irish Red Cross in Ireland. The Sabah family have a very intimate and close connection with Ireland. Walaa's younger sister, Rawan, is only 20, which is the same age as my daughter. She is trapped in Gaza, among all the destruction there, with her brother, Ahmed. Rawan has just got a scholarship to study pharmacy in Trinity College Dublin. We hope there will be a pathway for Rawan to come and join Walaa. Will the Minister consider, facilitate and expedite a visa on medical grounds for Walaa's dad, Jehad, to be treated? I imagine, notwithstanding its severity, that his medical condition is probably something that can be routinely treated in Ireland.

We have heard so much about what has happened to the people of Gaza. At this point, 14,500 children have been slaughtered there. It is de facto a genocide. It is urbicide, with the destruction of towns, cities and villages. It is femicide in the wholesale slaughter of women and children, which is infanticide. It is genocide. That is not a criticism of the Jewish people, because the Israel Defense Forces are a multi-confessional force. The Israel Defense Forces are made up of Druze, Bedouins, Muslims, Christians and Jews. Criticism of the genocidal actions of Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces is not a criticism of Judaism. It is not an antisemitic statement. It is the recognition that, before the world's eyes, genocide is taking place on an unprecedented scale in this century.

What can we do? The Government, including the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, has shown great moral leadership in calling out these genocidal actions. We might throw our hands up and ask what we can do. Walaa's brother Ahmed is trapped there. I know that the Israelis, as they move through the territory, are carrying out what are euphemistically referred to in the media as field executions. They are murdering boys and men. We can help the Sabah family. We can reunite them. This is something practical we can do for a family - reunite them. In time, I hope that Rawan gets out and then Ahmed, so that we can save this family.

I do not mean to sound melodramatic or trite but when we watch a film such as "Schindler's List", we all understand the meaning and impact of saving people. We have within our gift the opportunity to save this family. I know the Minister of State will urge the Minister to consider this request favourably and assist the family because they are trapped in that facility. They need consular assistance to facilitate this visa.