How long must people in Gaza wait?

Labour Leader Ivana Bacik TD today at Leader’s Questions raised the reports that the Irish Strategic Investment Fund has invested more than €4 million in companies based in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights - investments which not fuel the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Deputy Bacik said, 

"It is shocking to see investments made by the Irish Strategic Investment Fund in companies based in illegal Israeli settlements. These settlements breach humanitarian law, displace people from their homes, and destroy families and communities. The subsidising of businesses in these areas amounts to complicity in perpetuating injustice.

“In response to my call upon the Government today to take stronger action to help bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the appalling suffering of the civilian population there, the Taoiseach said that he does not believe that the Israeli Government are listening to anyone. If that is the case, then surely that underlines the need for the State to take further action in imposing sanctions on Israel. We should now move to pass the Occupied Territories bill first introduced by Senator Frances Black. Indeed, I have received a legal opinion which indicates that the Occupied Territories Bill is possible to pass under EU law.

"The death toll is mounting, starvation has set in, and disease is spreading through Gaza. We cannot stand idly by while innocent lives are lost and communities are torn apart. We need to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account.

"Ending trade with businesses complicit in this horrendous attack on Gaza is the very least we can do. It's time for Ireland to take a stand for justice and human rights in Gaza. The people of Gaza cannot wait any longer."