89. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in the context of the recent ceasefire, the steps Ireland is taking to pursue accountability over the genocide in Gaza, and the continued occupation of the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57171/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

I know we all welcome the ceasefire in Gaza, fragile as it is, as we heard this evening, but it is disheartening that Palestinians continue to die at the hands of Israel. With continuing illegal annexation of the West Bank and the Tánaiste's own words calling what happened in Gaza a genocide, what is he doing to seek accountability for these crimes against humanity?

Sentiment score: -0.70

With respect, the Government has kicked the occupied territories Bill down the road. It appears set to exclude services, despite that being legally necessary and legally possible and recommended by Government backbenchers on the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. The ceasefire does not negate the ICJ ruling on the occupied territories, neither do statements on difficulties with services. We already have to differentiate on services from the occupied Palestinian territories under the EU-Israel association agreement, so it can be done. Just as pressing and as important is the need not to forget that Israel committed genocide in Gaza. We all want a world where genocide does not happen. For that to be a reality, we need to create that world. We need to create accountability and we need to show that there are consequences for states that commit genocide, so what is the Government doing to fulfil that obligation with regard to Israel?

Sentiment score: 0.24

Of course I support the peace and of course we also support the priority of delivering aid to the starving people of Palestine, but that does not remove the elephant in the room of the occupied territories Bill, because that is the very tangible way we can enact sanctions and action against Israel. The aid and leadership we provided are very welcome, but people are keen to hear that, just because there is a ceasefire, that does not mean we continue to trade with illegal Israeli settlements in violation of international law. Just because there is a ceasefire does not mean Israel is not in violation of human rights clauses in the EU-Israel association agreement. Just because there is a ceasefire does not mean that the genocide did not happen and that people and nations should not be held accountable, because the ceasefire has not meant an end to the injustice, occupation and the killing of Palestinians. It is on us to press for action when many would be more comfortable moving on and pretending it is all fine now. Our eyes are open. We cannot say we did not know and we must not say that we did not act.

Sentiment score: 0.05