The EU has decided to do absolutely nothing about the genocide being heaped on the Palestinian people. Yesterday, an attempt was made by Spain, Slovenia and Ireland to raise the issue of not just trade but the special trading status that the EU has. The EU is the largest trading partner with Israel, bar none. It is some indictment on the EU that it is now lining up four-square behind an imperialist power that is heaping such misery on the population, such as the death penalty being introduced, gendered violence and sexual violence being committed and people being killed since the ceasefire. Whatever about the EU, because we could talk about that all day, at least Slovenia has introduced laws that have banned trade between Israel and Slovenia in certain conditions. It is very similar to what was proposed in the occupied territories Bill, and Spain has done likewise. Ireland has done absolutely nothing. It is very easy for the Minister of State to go and virtue signal in the Europe, but he has the power to do something here in Ireland. The first issue is Shannon Airport. There has been a massive increase in overhead flights, which are obviously military related, and the Government has no interest in doing anything about it. Shannon is a major hub for the US military. The second issue is the occupied territories Bill. The Government is sending it back for more legal advice. That is an absolute ruse because 350 lawyers have already examined this and said there is nothing illegal about it. The Government gave a commitment before the elections two years ago that it would move on this. People were under that impression. Where is the occupied territories Bill? Senator Frances Black feels that the Government is delaying now on this. Ireland claims to be standing four-square with the Palestinian people, yet it is going to allow, and in fact it has encouraged, the Israeli soccer team to come and play here in October. The Government is out of step with the Irish people on that issue. It has judged that very badly. There will be a campaign to stop that match. The "stop the game" campaign has already started.

Sentiment score: 0.05