Debate contribution: Gaza: Action to End Forced Starvation

Debate contribution by Mr Eóin Tennyson on 9 September 2025.

MLA

Mr Eóin Tennyson

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

9 September 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Gaza: Action to End Forced Starvation

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5086477

Read the official Assembly record

Text

The situation in Gaza is a man-made humanitarian catastrophe. Over 63,000 people have been killed, and many more have been maimed and injured. The strip lies in ruins, and famine now grips the population. Over 1,400 health workers, over 200 journalists and over 100 aid workers have been murdered. When children are shot while collecting aid, families are forcibly displaced and starvation is wielded as a weapon of war, we must speak plainly and act decisively. What we are witnessing playing out on our television screens is a genocide, and we have a duty to act. Alliance has consistently and unequivocally condemned the terrorist attacks of Hamas on 7 October, which claimed the lives of over 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the capture of over 250 hostages. We have continued to call for their immediate and unconditional release. Let me also take this opportunity today to condemn the horrific terrorist attack that took place in Jerusalem yesterday. There can never be justification for attacks on innocent civilians, but nor can the vile actions of Hamas excuse the collective punishment of an entire civilian population, a population that has not had the opportunity to cast a vote for Hamas in almost 20 years. To be clear, defeat of Hamas will not be achieved through famine and suffering, nor will the foundations for lasting peace or security be laid on the graves of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza. All lives are equal, Palestinian and Israeli. There must be an immediate and permanent ceasefire and unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. It is obscene and heartbreaking that, while children starve in Gaza, abundant food lies just miles away. The Labour Government too must end their complicity. The strongly worded statements of condemnation must be matched with action through the full suspension of arms sales, the introduction of sanctions against Netanyahu's security cabinet and withdrawal from the UK-Israel free trade agreement. The UK rightly took steps against Russia following its illegal invasion of Ukraine and must take robust action now to defend international law in Gaza. Gaza must not become a graveyard for international law and human rights. Alliance has also long supported the recognition of a Palestinian state, but that is more urgent than ever today. A two-state solution provides the only viable means by which Palestinians and Israelis can live side by side in peace and security. The Israeli Government, however, have rejected that position, instead seeking to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank, with the Israeli Finance Minister explicitly stating that it would:

"bury the idea of a Palestinian state."

Recognition must, therefore, not be wielded as a bargaining chip or a symbolic gesture, but granted irreversibly and without conditions to keep the very prospect of a two-state solution alive. Whilst those of us in Northern Ireland cannot end the crisis alone, we can and must act with compassion and as part of a broader coalition to stand up for justice, human rights and international law. We have a rich history of providing humanitarian assistance and sanctuary to those in need. That is why I am pleased that the Executive have agreed to participate in the medical evacuations from the Gaza Strip of children who require specialist care. It is shameful, however, that some politicians in the Chamber railed against providing that support. I cannot begin to fathom how callous or cruel you have to be to turn away two children — two children — who have faced starvation and require specialist medical support. We also must get assurances from the Finance Minister and the Economy Minister that no public money is being used in any way to support the supply of arms to countries where there is a prima facie case of genocide to answer. When we last debated the crisis in Gaza, scurrilous —.

I will indeed.

I am not saying that. I am saying that the Government need to assure themselves that the weapons are not being supplied to any states that are involved in potentially genocidal actions. Ministers need to come to the Chamber and make that position clear. When we last debated this crisis, scurrilous allegations of anti-Semitism were made towards those of us who expressed concern at the actions of the Israeli Government — a contribution that conflated the Jewish people with the Israeli Government, but also ignored the plurality of opinion in Israel, where brave activists and organisations have stood up against this genocide. Therefore, allow me to be clear now: I utterly reject anti-Semitism and all forms of racism in our community. I stand firmly with Northern Ireland's small Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian communities who face trauma and feel vulnerable at this time. When the scale of suffering is so severe and the silence so deafening, it can be easy for us all to despair. One day, everyone will have been against this genocide. We have a duty to speak up for peace, justice and international law now before it is too late. Our constituents expect nothing less.

843 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:02 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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