'Meaningful action' needed on Palestine, says Clarke

Ireland and the rest of the international community must do more to come to the aid of the people of Palestine.

That's according to Deputy Sorca Clarke, who says that with American President Donald Trump repeating his claim that the US wants to buy and take over Gaza, "it is clear that words, hashtags and symbolic gestures are not enough".

“Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump have shown a complete disregard for human rights and international law. We cannot afford to sit idly by while they continue to act with impunity.

“Ireland, along with the international community must not merely act as an observer while the lives of millions of Palestinians are being destroyed.

“This is not a time for diplomacy or delay. Now more than ever we need to see genuine and meaningful action.

“We must enact the Occupied Territories Bill. We must enact the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill. We must enact the Arms Embargo Bill. We must put more pressure on the EU to take a stand. We must support the BDS movement.

“What is happening in Palestine is not up for political dispute; it is a genocide.

“The rhetoric of ‘peace’ and ‘negotiation’ can no longer mask the horrifying truth that Palestinians are suffering under an ongoing campaign of displacement, violence and murder.

“The time for mere observation is over. The world has witnessed genocide before. We cannot let history repeat itself.

“Palestine belongs to the Palestinians."