Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all who have contributed to the debate. It is clear that Deputies across the House are deeply and genuinely concerned at the horrific situation that has unfolded in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories over the past three weeks. The Government shares their deep alarm at the situation and the way in which it continues to deteriorate rapidly, including in the context of the grave humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

The terrible violence of the brutal attacks by Hamas on Israel's citizens on 7 October was deeply shocking. These despicable acts of terror and bloodshed have no justification. These acts did not advance the cause of the Palestinian people, the security of the region or the prospects of a peaceful future. The cycle of conflict and attack which has ensued needs to be brought to a close now in order that more civilians - men, women and children, Palestinian and Israeli - do not lose their lives. The immense tragedy we are witnessing has brought grief and distress to countless families. It is imperative that the focus of everybody in the region and in the wider international community is on de-escalation.

I echo calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, the abduction of whom is absolutely prohibited under international law. The taking of hostages is cruel and unjustifiable in any circumstances. I urge those holding hostages to show mercy, to let those being held return to their families and not to further multiply the harms unfolding. The extent of the loss of life in Gaza is immense. The latest reported figures are that more than 11,000 people have been killed, including 5,000 children. We have also seen the loss of so many people who worked tirelessly for UN agencies to ensure that the people of Gaza had access to the basic necessities and services. Journalists too have been killed. In a place where accurate reporting is so needed, the protection of journalists is also especially important.

We should also not underestimate the scale of the physical destruction of Gaza. Its essential infrastructure, including houses, schools and places of worship, has been flattened. This is a litany of loss, fear and terror and should not be further added to. It is necessary that there is a credible plan to ensure Gaza is rebuilt. A sustainable humanitarian ceasefire is essential to ensure rapid, unhindered and safe humanitarian access to meet the urgent needs of the more than 2 million people in Gaza, many of whom were already refugees. People are hungry, thirsty, terrified and in pain and they cannot go anywhere. Food, water, fuel and medical supplies must be allowed into Gaza at scale, without delay and regularly, just to stop this tragedy worsening. The civilian population of Gaza, around half of whom are children, should not and, indeed, must not be punished for the actions of Hamas or any other terrorist organisation. The Government's position on this is clear: Israel has the right to defend itself and its people from attack, but this is not an unfettered right. International humanitarian law applies, as does the principle of proportionality, and the Israeli military has a duty to ensure the protection of citizens. A humanitarian ceasefire for Gaza is an essential basic step now.

As Deputies are aware, a first group of Irish citizens and their dependents were cleared to exit from Gaza today. We expect that additional Irish citizens and their dependents will also be on the list of those to exit in the coming days. The Government is working tirelessly to ensure that all those who wish to leave will be able to exit as soon as possible. It is the focus of the Tánaiste's visit to the region this week.

We cannot talk about the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories without highlighting the worsening situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This year, 45 Palestinian children have been killed in the West Bank. This is a figure that would sound immense were it not for the horrific scale of death since October. Attacks by Israeli soldiers are already at a record high and have increased significantly. This is not a recent problem. It has stretched across decades, adding to the tension and complexity of finding a path to peace. It is well past time that the Israeli Government acted to end illegal settlement activity and took effective action on settler violence. Illegal settlements and settler violence do nothing to help with efforts to secure the peace and security of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. Ireland has repeatedly condemned the building of settlements and their expansion, as well as the demolition of structures and evictions. During Ireland's term on the UN Security Council in 2021 and 2022, we raised these issues regularly.

There was no mistaking the concern and depth of feeling expressed during this debate, and Deputies across the Chamber are clearly seeking ways to end this conflict and protect the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians. Ireland has always shown a deep commitment to a rules-based international order. Our commitment to multilateralism is a cornerstone of our foreign policy. This emanates not from some abstract, high-minded notion but from a practical belief that real change, effective and lasting change, happens when states work together. This is a complex conflict, and if we wish to help the Palestinian people, then we need to work with other states to build consensus, in the EU and in the UN.

This is not to say that Ireland cannot and does not speak out clearly on matters of concern, including the one we are so deeply concerned with here today.

Since the attacks on 7 October, Ireland has been to the forefront of EU discussions on this matter, calling strongly for a humanitarian ceasefire, sustained and immediate humanitarian access and the release of hostages. We will continue to advocate for our position using all channels available to us in the strong belief that it is in the best interests of the Palestinian and Israeli people.

Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have discussed these issues with their counterparts at the European Council and the Foreign Affairs Council. The Tánaiste has underlined the importance of principled and collective action by the EU and its member states and the need for the EU to act for the protection of civilians and adherence to international law. At the UN, Ireland made a statement at the Security Council and opened debate on this current crisis. We called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and welcomed the initial supply of aid. However, we noted that much more is needed. The Tánaiste is currently undertaking a visit to the Middle East, where he will meet with senior political figures in Egypt and Israel and from the Palestinian National Authority. He will urge all the interlocutors to work together towards an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table to find a lasting solution. The Taoiseach attended a conference on humanitarian assistance for Gaza in Paris last week, hosted by President Macron, at which he also expressed Ireland's support for a humanitarian ceasefire. There he spoke to the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, as well as the foreign minister of Egypt and the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

I will add one final point. Ireland recognises that the situation in the Middle East is multifaceted and complex. It has a long history with chapters of death, destruction, oppression, injustice and hatred stretching far back and it will not be easily resolved. Today, we need the violence to stop. We need hostages to be freed. We need urgent humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza. The efforts to restart the Middle East process cannot wait for some distant tomorrow. There will never be a right time or a right moment so the time has to be now. There has already been too much terror and horror and loss of life. The international community must act now, act together and find a way to build a path towards a lasting peace.

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