Member's statement: Gaza War: Ceasefire
Member's statement by Mr Declan Kearney on .
- MLA
- Mr Declan Kearney
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 20 January 2025
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Gaza War: Ceasefire
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4744137
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I welcome the announcement of the ceasefire in Gaza. It is a pivotal occasion for the people of Gaza, Palestine, the wider Middle East and their neighbours in Israel. The conditions in Gaza at this time are those of an absolute apocalypse. The physical destruction and the unimaginable suffering and loss of life are beyond our comprehension. Prior to the ceasefire, 'The Lancet' reported that, as far back as June of last year, deaths in Gaza had been underestimated by 40%. The ceasefire is an opportunity for respite for the people of Gaza, and, critically, it is an opportunity for them to begin to mourn their losses properly. It cannot be temporary, however. The ceasefire must be fully implemented and observed, and all phases must be rigidly adhered to. That will demand good faith on the part of all actors: those who are party to the war and those who have indicated their willingness to act as guarantors of the ceasefire and the following phases. Much more is needed, however. The ceasefire must become a pathway to a permanent, democratic peace settlement in Gaza and for the people of Palestine, and it must become a pathway to the achievement of a sovereign Palestinian state.
As we know from our experience of peace processes, there is a need for great vigilance. However, it is also a time at which there must be increased political solidarity with the people of Gaza and increased financial solidarity to assist in overcoming the humanitarian challenges. For the first time in many months, the children of Gaza can now, perhaps, look to the skies with hope not fear. We all have a duty to ensure that that is realised, that peace is achieved and becomes permanent, and that the people of Palestine and Israel can live in peaceful co-existence.
303 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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