Barry Andrews: Condemning Violence Against Palestinians
MEP Barry Andrews cites a UN report and multiple investigations alleging sexual assault is used in the ill-treatment of Palestinians in Israeli detention. He urges the EU to press Israel to allow the Red Cross access to Palestinian detainees and asks whether the EU delegation has heard detainees' testimonies.
Barry Andrews refers to a recent UN report that describes sexual assault as "a major element and standard operating procedure" in the ill-treatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons by settlers and the IDF. He points to corroborating investigations from B'Tselem, Breaking the Silence, Euromed, Human Rights Monitor and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Andrews highlights a New York Times account published last Monday which documents increasing sexual violence and describes how it is used to pressure communities and influence decisions about remaining in or leaving homes and villages.
He argues that Europe has leverage and says the least the EU can do is pressure Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Palestinian detainees-access Andrews says has been forbidden since October 7.
Andrews asks whether the EU delegation in Palestine has visited detainees and heard their testimonies. He closes with a direct moral appeal that, regardless of views on the Middle East conflict, people should unite in condemning rape.
What Andrews reported
Barry Andrews refers to a recent UN report that describes sexual assault as "a major element and standard operating procedure" in the ill-treatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons by settlers and the IDF. He points to corroborating investigations from B'Tselem, Breaking the Silence, Euromed, Human Rights Monitor and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Independent reporting
Andrews highlights a New York Times account published last Monday which documents increasing sexual violence and describes how it is used to pressure communities and influence decisions about remaining in or leaving homes and villages.
Demand for Red Cross access
He argues that Europe has leverage and says the least the EU can do is pressure Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Palestinian detainees-access Andrews says has been forbidden since October 7.
Questions for the EU delegation and final appeal
Andrews asks whether the EU delegation in Palestine has visited detainees and heard their testimonies. He closes with a direct moral appeal that, regardless of views on the Middle East conflict, people should unite in condemning rape.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Other speeches
Tego samego dnia All speeches from this day →
Catherine Connolly
Catherine Connolly: Invited King Charles to State Visit, He Agreed
Lynn Boylan
Lynn Boylan: Presidency decision risks Silk Road Café closure
Nina Carberry
Nina Carberry: Urges EU Action After Brothers' 33 Marathons
Kathleen Funchion
Kathleen Funchion: Urgent call after Waterford fires
Ciarán Mullooly
Ciarán Mullooly: Sepsis Awareness Saves Lives
Transcript
According to a recent UN report, sexual assault is, quote, a major element and standard operating procedure in the ill-treatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons by settlers and the IDF. This is borne out in separate reports on sexual violence by B'Tselem, by Breaking the Silence, by Euromed, Human Rights Monitor and the Norwegian Refugee Council. Last Monday, the New York Times bravely set out an incredibly detailed and harrowing account of increasing sexual violence on Palestinians by the Israeli government. It is used to pressure communities and shape decisions about remaining or leaving in housing and villages. Europe has leverage. The least we can do is pressure Israel to at least allow the Red Cross to visit Palestinian detainees. This has been specifically forbidden since October 7. I would also ask the EU delegation in Palestine, have they visited Palestinian detainees and heard their testimonies? In the words of the brave journalist, whatever our views of the Middle East conflict, we should be able to unite in condemning rape.