We all watch in absolute horror as the horrific scenes from Gaza get more and more devastating. More than 23,000 people in Gaza have been killed since the Hamas attack, 70% of whom were women and children. Yesterday, I convened a meeting with my Fine Gael colleagues and Sadaka – The Ireland Palestine Alliance. That group's biggest concern right now is Gaza's newest deadly threat, starvation. The majority of people in Gaza are experiencing famine right now. That is on top of being displaced, not having access to clean water and being at risk of disease. People there are living under constant deadly threat. There are attacks and bombings and now starvation and the world looks on. What Israel is doing is far beyond disproportionate. I spent time in Palestine and am particularly passionate about this issue. I am proud that Ireland has been a lonely voice on the international stage in support of the people of Palestine. However, right now it is South Africa's voice that is lonely. What is the Government's response to the South African court case?

I agree with the Deputy that what is happening in Gaza, and now in the West Bank as well, is extreme, horrific and horrendous. It is totally and utterly disproportionate. What the State of Israel is doing in the destruction of Gaza, the killing of women, children, men and women and bombing Gaza into oblivion is outrageous but it is what is happening. As the Deputy has rightly said, our Taoiseach and Tánaiste have been to the forefront of the Government's response to this in trying to bring about a collective approach within the European Union. We have been successful in doing so. Just yesterday, the Taoiseach met with the Belgian Prime Minister in this regard. Other EU states are also involved. We need an urgent ceasefire now and proper humanitarian access. Starvation is happening now. We are watching a potential famine happening in front of our eyes. It is incredibly distressing and very wrong. Our Government is absolutely committed to doing everything we can at diplomatic level to push for that immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access to people in Gaza.

Let us not forget also what is happening to Palestinians in the West Bank, with the grabbing of land and the continued expansion of illegal settlements. It is outrageous, frankly, and Ireland stands against those illegal actions.