David Norris: Israeli government committing 'overwhelming numbers' of Palestinians to death

Mr Norris gave his final speech to the Seanad on Monday. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Israeli government is committing “overwhelming numbers” of Palestinians to death in their ongoing war in Gaza, Senator David Norris has said.

Mr Norris, who gave his final speech to the Seanad on Monday, condemned the continuing war in the Middle East, while also voicing his own support for the upcoming referenda on family and care in March.

He said that the ongoing attacks against the Palestinian people in Gaza are “appalling” and that the war cannot be allowed to continue

“Since this is my last opportunity to speak on the floor of this House, I’d like to continue to advocate for peace in Palestine and in particular, Gaza,” Mr Norris said.

“What is happening to the inhabitants of Gaza is appalling and cannot be allowed to continue. Man’s inhumanity to man is our greatest shame.

“I have to say also that it goes completely against the Jewish ethic, which is L’Chaim – to life – and this present government under [Prime Minister] Netanyahu has committed them, instead of to life, to death.

“To death in overwhelming numbers for the unfortunate trapped citizens of Gaza. I deplore it completely,” Mr Norris added.

Mr Norris then called on those in Seanad Éireann to continue to “push for peace in our times”.

The State’s longest serving senator, having spent 36 years in the upper House of the Oireachtas, also called for a yes vote on the upcoming referenda on family and care.

“It is important that they succeed and even though I will be retired, I will be to the best of my ability campaigning for their success,” he said.

He thanked the graduates of Trinity College Dublin who have voted for him since he first won the seat in 1987, adding that he had tried to represent them “to the best of my ability”.

After his speech concluded, Mr Norris received a standing ovation from his colleagues in the Seanad, before tributes from various Senators began to be made.

Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Jerry Buttimer, praised him for his work as a Senator, highlighting that he had not been a “one-trick pony” and that his efforts spanned across a wide-range of topics, from human rights inequalities to the protection of the honey bee.

Following his retirement from the Seanad, Mr Norris is due to split his time between Cyprus and Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

“Members of the LGBT community who paid tribute to you last December rightly said and paid homage to you for the sterling work, the bravery, the courage you have shown."

Letters were also penned by both President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, with the President describing Mr Norris’ careers as a “journey of unwavering dedication to public service”.

“Your legacy as a champion of equality and diversity will continue to inspire future generations to come,” President Higgins said, adding that his work throughout the years had helped make Ireland a better place for all.

The Taoiseach praised Mr Norris for his leadership on universal and human rights for LGBT people, women and minorities, adding that “we now stand on your shoulders”.

Mr Varadkar said that since Mr Norris was elected, there are now three openly gay members of the Cabinet.

Independent Senator Michael McDowell said Mr Norris has been a “champion of the underprivileged”, highlighting his work for the LGBT community as well as for Palestine and for anti-apartheid in South Africa.

Mr Norris, who first began campaigning for equality in the 1970s, has played an enormous role in the betterment of gay lives in Ireland since then.

He saw Ireland’s criminalisation of homosexuality overturned after a 15-year legal battle, after the European Court of Human Rights found that the laws violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

Following his retirement from the Seanad, Mr Norris is due to split his time between Cyprus and Dublin.