Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told the United Nations that Ireland is ready to play its part in achieving a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
Addressing the UN General Assembly during a summit on the issue, Mr Martin said there may not be another chance unless the international community acts now. "If we do not move now to protect the two-state solution, if we do not work to build a process through which it can be achieved, there may never be another opportunity."
The Taoiseach welcomed the recognition of a Palestinian state by several countries this week and urged others to follow suit. "We know that there are people, including in the Israeli government, who are working to make that outcome impossible," he said.
Mr Martin described the situation in Gaza in stark terms: "More than 65,000 people killed in Gaza. Horrifically more than 20,000 of them children. The use of food as a weapon of war, scarcity becoming hunger, becoming famine. Hospitals attacked, homes and schools destroyed. Thousands of years of culture wiped out. People shot as they desperately seek food for their families. Aid workers, journalists targeted and killed."
Paying tribute to humanitarian workers, medics and journalists in Gaza, he continued: "We have reached a point where what has been credibly described as a genocide is being carried out in front of the eyes of the world. It would be easy to just despair, but we must not. Gaza must move us to action."
He said those working on the ground show "extraordinary courage and without regard to their own safety."
Mr Martin closed his address by stressing the political responsibility of leaders. "To honour them and the Palestinian people, it is right that we as political leaders play our part too. The only credible destination is a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security."
