Cork TD’s Dáil speech on Gaza goes viral on social media

A CORK TD has gone viral on social media following a moving speech in the Dáil calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and lasting peace in the region.

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould spoke in the Dáil on Tuesday, May 28 alongside many other TDs who gave statements on Ireland's recognition of the State of Palestine.

Mr Gould’s speech has since gone viral across multiple social media platforms and has been picked up by Middle Eastern media outlets such as Middle East Eye and Al-Jazeera. Mr Gould also appeared on Al-Jazeera TV on Monday evening.

His speech condemned the “horrific atrocities and war crimes carried out by the Israeli state” and the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Not only is what is happening now apartheid, an atrocity and a war crime; it is horrific," he said. 

“They [Palestinians] may not be human beings in the eyes of Netanyahu and his far-right Israeli Government, but Palestinians are human beings. 

“Today [May 28], the Irish people say we recognise Palestine and we recognise they are human beings, just like every one of us. 

“Shame on Israel and what it has done. It will never be forgotten.” 

Irish politician Thomas Gould questions how Jewish people, who historically experienced atrocities, could 'allow' the Israeli gov't to commit and excuse such brutal acts in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/4leoiAiVrT

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 4, 2024

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Gould, who said he had prepared a speech ahead of the Dáil meeting, decided instead to speak from the heart.

“I hadn’t planned on saying what I said but I felt it had to be said. 

“People have said my speech was a voice for a lot of people out there who are feeling this way and that they got emotional watching me because they saw I was emotional.” 

Mr Gould said he cannot believe that the speech has been viewed by millions around the globe.

“It’s surreal that something I said in the Dáil for two minutes has got so much attention. 

“A fella from Knocknaheeny giving a speech and it takes off like it has - it’s unbelievable. I felt that what I said had to be said and I’m glad I said it.

“If there's anything to come out of the coverage it's getting, is that we have to put any bit of pressure we can on the Israeli government for a ceasefire. When I spoke that day, the Israelis were sending tanks into Rafah and even as we speak now, people are dying. 

“A ceasefire would give the opportunity to find a lasting peace because we now have over 35,000 dead.

“As a politician, this is more than Irish politics. You’re talking about peoples’ lives and their families - they are people.

“What happened on October 7 was an atrocity. Anyone who saw what happened that day, it affected them as well. 

“The difference here is that you have a government with bombs that have killed over 35,000 people. Israel is committing an atrocity every day.”