Hear, hear.

Sentiment score: 0.00

I thank Deputy Joanna Byrne for introducing this motion. She has shown real bravery and leadership on this issue. We have a proud history of standing up against injustice, whether it was the stance we took on apartheid in South Africa or the recognition of Palestinian statehood. In June 1999, the then Fianna Fáil Government showed leadership in relation to this in refusing to grant entry visas to the Yugoslav national football team, which blocked the scheduled Euro 2000 match in Dublin. Moving the fixture is a complete cop-out. The State can and must step in. There is a precedent. This is forcing our young players into an impossible position where individual athletes must choose between their international careers and their conscience. I am asking the Government to show some leadership because when I think of this genocide, I am particularly haunted by an interview with the British surgeon Nick Maynard, who was talking about Palestinian boys being shot by IDF soldiers. Each day, the soldiers would shoot a different limb, almost like target practice. One day, they were shooting them in the testicles; another day, they were shooting them in the arm; and another day, it was the legs. These are very young boys. Many of us have sons, nieces, nephews, cousins or godchildren. These are the people who should be able to go out and play football freely and not have to worry about being shot at aid posts. We cannot stand by and watch the utter destruction of Palestinian life and the obliteration of Palestine. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, UEFA and FIFA did not hesitate. I am conscious that Kaja Kallas is about 250 m from this Chamber today. We know the EU took a firm stance in relation to what was going on with Russia but, as usual with international bodies in this world, when is a war crime not a war crime? It is when Israel is doing it.

Sentiment score: -0.04