(Sinn Féin):...Sinn Féin
is clear in its view that the USA and Britain must stop arming
Israel, and it is also clear in its view that
Invest NI government policy should not be supporting anything
that ends up being used to carry out genocide. We cannot ignore
Britain's track record in conflicts across the globe. In
Britain's case, defence can mean intervening in conflicts or
attacking nations around the world whenever and however it
decides. Looking back at recent decades, let us not kid ourselves
that any of these conflicts were about defending the shores of
Britain...
(Alliance Party):...We are
clear that the UK Government must urgently ensure that they meet
those standards and should cease the transfer of military arms to
Israel. While the UK Government have signalled
an increase in defence spending and a reconsideration of supply
chains, there is a lack of clarity about how that is being paid
for by the current Government. First and foremost, there needs to
be an honest conversation about that to give clarity...
Sinéad McLaughlin (SDLP):...Finally, the conflicts around the
world from Gaza to Ukraine ask all of us not to explore the
profits of war but to make every effort for peace, particularly
in Gaza, where the unfolding genocide is a humanitarian
catastrophe. The UK should immediately stop any exports of arms
to Israel, a country that is raining down terror
on innocent men, women and children. That much should be obvious
to anyone. We will not be able to support the motion...
(People Before Profit
Alliance):...At this very moment, Britain and its imperialist
allies in the US are funding Israel's genocide
in Gaza. Over 35,000 are dead, there are countless injured,
hospitals, schools and universities have been destroyed and
millions of Palestinian people are being forced to endure famine
conditions. It appears that there is no end to the number of war
crimes that Israel will commit or the number of
countries that it will bomb, and it does so with the backing of
Western Governments. Despite all the risks and warnings of a
wider regional war, Britain, the US and others continue to add
fuel to the fire. They know that Israel is a
bulwark against democracy and the will of the wider working-class
in the Middle East, and there is no depraved depths that the
ruling class will not go to to protect their interests...
(DUP):... spoke of the economic
vision outlined by the Minister and the importance of the
all-Ireland economy from his perspective. He recognised the
skills in the cybersecurity industry as well, although he went on
to raise political issues in respect of the USA and UK's role in
Israel, protecting innocent lives and also
ethical procurement and involvement.
spoke about meeting
international law on the issue of arms sales to
Israel and the need for more to be done from the
UK Government's perspective on social value. She also spoke about
skills and the role of further education, schools and careers
advice...
To readx the whole debate, OPEN HERE
