WATCH: McNulty raises plea of Palestinians at Stormont

Mr. McNulty was speaking on a motion brought forward by the SDLP Opposition calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The Newry & Armagh Assembly Members’ comments came as the death toll in Gaza reaches 35,000 with a further 78,000 injured. Almost 70% of the casualties have been women and children.

In an emotional speech, Justin McNulty shared the heart-breaking testimony of three young people in the region who spoke of the cruel devastation being inflicted in their homeland.

Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said: “Like so many people, I feel this awful sense of despair and helplessness watching a genocide in Gaza being streamed on live TV. Naturally, I feel a duty to use whatever platform I have to ensure that we do not lose sight of the human impact of that devastation, that we do not become numb to the fact that ordinary people are trapped in that terror. In other words, that we do not lose our humanity.

“When the SDLP Opposition brought forward a motion calling for a ceasefire, I wanted to do more than offer outrage or indignation. Right now, around 1.4million people are trapped in Rafah, not knowing whether they will live to see tomorrow, and it is almost impossible to understand the terror they must be feeling.

“I wanted to offer a voice to those people who are essentially trapped in hell on earth, so I sought out the contribution of three young Palestinians. The words they shared were haunting. One of them, a 24 year old named George, put it so profoundly and so succinctly when he said: _“at a time when humanity is being extinguished in Gaza, send us yours. As the rest of the world turns their back on Gaza, come to our aid and stand with us.”

“The people I represent stand resolutely behind the Palestinian people. I wanted my contribution in the Assembly to reflect that fact. I wanted to give a voice to those that we stand behind, and I hope that in doing so, it was made clear that the Palestinians do not stand alone.”