Today is UN International Day of Solitary with the Palestinian people. I previously worked as a Human Rights Observer in Palestine with EAPPI and saw first-hand the inhumane conditions people are subject to in occupied Palestine

I have highlighted this in the past in my position as councillor on Dublin City Council and now in my capacity as TD in Dáil Éireann. In August I submitted an official to the Advertising Standards agency about Airbnb’s listing of properties in occupied Palestine.

There are any number of examples of breaking of international law in Palestine by Israeli forces taking place currently but I will highlight just one – the illegal evictions taking place in Sheikh Jarrah. Mohammad Sabbagh is a community leader who like many in the area has been served with an eviction notice by the Israeli state. Like many Palestinians he became a refugee following his families removal from their land by Israel during the Nakba in 1948.

Mohammad, now in his 70s faces becoming a refugee for the 2nd time in his life by the Israeli govt. This eviction amounts to forcible transfer, which is in direct contravention of the fourth Geneva Convention and UN law.

There are lots of things we can all do, as individuals, as elected reps, and as a nation. I will keep working for justice in Palestine in whatever way I can.