I support the Government's position and indeed, that of the Opposition, in respect of what is happening in south Lebanon at the moment where we have one man who is trying to hold the entire world to ransom. He wants to turn Beirut into Mariupol and Lebanon into Gaza and the only thing standing in his way is the thin blue line of UN peacekeepers. Mr. Netanyahu is claiming that the best way to protect the lives of UN peacekeepers is to withdraw them from the theatre. Does the Taoiseach agree that the very best way of protecting the lives of the UN peacekeepers is for the Israel Defense Forces to stop shooting at them?

I thank the Deputy for his own service and expertise in this area and I absolutely and fully agree with him. Peacekeepers and peacekeeping have a very particular level of protection in international law and in terms of international norms regarding conflict. When I spoke to President Herzog of Israel yesterday, I made it clear to him in the strongest possible terms that what Israel had done in recent days amounted to a breach of international law. We will continue to make that point and will make it at the European Council this week as well. All of us stand in full support and solidarity with the brave men and women from Ireland and other countries who are serving with distinction with the UNIFIL mission.