Gaza and Al-Shifa Hospital
Deputy Higgins condemned the Israeli assault on Al-Shifa Hospital and urged a stronger Irish stance on Gaza. The Taoiseach shared concern, referred to Ireland’s diplomatic engagement, and raised hostage and Irish citizen concerns.
This morning we all woke to the horrific news that Israeli soldiers had stormed Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. Images of death, destruction and dying babies haunt us all. What Israel is doing is barbaric, inhumane and criminal. I have spent time in Palestine and I have seen at first-hand the utter disdain with which Israeli soldiers treat Palestinians. I cannot begin to imagine the pain and the suffering that they are inflicting on a civilian population now. Ireland has been a lonely voice on the international stage; we have been an outlier in the EU. That has resulted in an Israeli minister saying that Palestinians should go to the desert or to Ireland. The Tánaiste is on the ground in the region today and he has brought us the welcome news that Irish citizens are starting to escape Gaza because of our diplomatic channels. I ask the Taoiseach to use his reply to explain why we should maintain diplomatic channels with Israel even now.
Comment on this
The Deputy has asked a very valid question. I join her in expressing my deep concern about what is happening around Al-Shifa Hospital at the moment. I was encouraged to hear President Biden in particular speaking on this issue. We maintain diplomatic contacts with Israel for a number of reasons. Diplomatic relations do not, of course, mean that we are necessarily friends or allies. However, it does mean that we talk and can at least deal with each other. Emily Hand, an Irish citizen, is being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza; we want her out. Between 30 and 60 Irish citizens and their dependants are in Gaza. We need co-operation from Israel to get them out and that is happening today. We have 400 troops on the Golan Heights and in south Lebanon. We need to be able to contact and talk to Israel so that their safety can remain paramount. We also want Ireland at some point - hopefully in the not-too-distant future - to have a meaningful role in a new peace process that will give the Palestinians the state they deserve and need. Those are four reasons we need keep diplomatic relations open with Israel.