As we all know, there are moments in the life of a nation when hesitation becomes moral failure. This evening, Ireland stands at such a moment. The occupied territories Bill is not simply another Bill. It is a test of our values and courage and our willingness to act when international law is being trampled upon and human dignity is being denied. As we all know, for decades, the world has watched the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. These settlements are built in direct violation of international law, condemned by the United Nations, the International Court of Justice and human rights organisations across the globe. These settlements are the daily machinery of dispossession with homes demolished, land seized, families uprooted and entire communities pushed aside. This should ring so strongly and deeply, in our psyche. Ireland cannot continue to speak the language of human rights while refusing to legislate fully in the defence of these. Passing the occupied territories Bill in full, with services included, is the minimum moral response required of a country that claims to stand for justice. There are, of course, those who will say we must wait, we must seek the permission and we must not upset our powerful partners in the USA or Israel. Human rights are not conditional, however, and international law is certainly not optional. Ireland's sovereignty and our right to legislate in accordance with our values must never be outsourced to the likes of America or Israel. The world is witnessing a catastrophe in Palestine that can only be described as unbearable. Entire families are being wiped out. Neighbourhoods are being reduced to rubble as we see on our TV screens. Children are being pulled lifeless from the ruins. This is not a conflicts; this is the systematic destruction of a people. The scale of suffering inflicted by the Israeli state on Palestinians is a stain on the conscience of humanity. No people should ensure such relentless bombardment, starvation or displacement. To stay silent is to be complicit. The Palestinian people deserve protection, justice and the full recognition of their humanity urgently, unequivocally and without delay. The Bill must not be anti-anyone. It is pro-law. It should be pro-justice and pro-human dignity. It simply states that Ireland will not be complicit economically, politically or symbolically in the ongoing violation of international law through settlement expansion. Ireland has a proud history of standing with the oppressed. We must not shrink from that legacy now because the world is watching and history is watching. The people of Ireland expect leadership, not excuses. We must not have a watered-down Bill. I commend Senator Black on eight years of work on this very important legislation.

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