East Jerusalem and Gaza
Mary Lou McDonald condemned Israeli actions in east Jerusalem and Gaza; the Chair said a topical issue had already been selected on it.
We have all watched with increasing alarm and disgust the events in east Jerusalem and Gaza. We are again witnessing the wholesale flouting of international law by the Israeli state. We are seeing the bombardment of Palestinian communities and tensions ratcheted high in a situation that is increasingly becoming a humanitarian and political crisis. The annexation of Palestinian lands is wrong and is against international law. The collective punishment and humiliation of the Palestinian people are wrong and the occupation of Palestinian land is wrong and against the law. It is beyond time that the international community named this, called it out and confronted Israel with real consequences for its behaviour.
We have the privileged position of sitting on the UN Security Council. I put it to the Taoiseach that we need statements in this House asserting that Ireland will stand with the rule of international law and the Palestinian people. We need statements to that effect and I hope we will have a common and united voice in that regard.
We need the Government to outline how we will use this privileged position on the UN Security Council to ensure that action is taken and that the international community, which for too long has been asleep, negligent and laissez-faire in respect of Palestine, finally acts.
