People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett has defended controversial remarks he made in which he described the Israeli regime as "filthy".
Mr Boyd Barrett made the comments at a Palestine Solidarity campaign rally over the weekend.
His comments were attacked by Tánaiste Micheál Martin yesterday who, while criticising the bombing of Gaza, said Mr Boyd Barrett had spread "bile" about Israel.
Speaking at Leinster House, Mr Boyd Barrett said he stood by his remarks.
He said the Israeli state had a "filthy ideology" and added it had a an "apartheid system just like the apartheid regime in South Africa".
He added: "I have long record of opposing racism and antisemitism."
In the Dáil, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said it is "long past time" that sanctions are imposed on Israel due to its war in Gaza.
Ms Cairns said that the "depths of depravity" taking place in Gaza was unprecedented in its "scale and severity".
She asked what it would take for the international community to take action, and question if Israel if "free to unleash whatever hell it likes?"
Ms Cairns said that the people of Gaza were being denied all protections afforded under international humanitarian law and added that while the Government has been strong in its statements, that "words are not enough".
In reply, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he shared her "horror" at what continues to unfold in Gaza, saying the situation was "unbearable" when thousands of children losing their lives.
Mr Varadkar said while he accepted Israel's right to defend itself, what was taking place in Gaza was "disproportionate".
He said there should be a ceasefire - an extended one, if not permanent - which was backed by all sides in the conflict.
On sanctions, he said they would only be effective if introduced on a multilateral basis.
He added that a unilateral move would not be effective in changing the Israeli government's mind and would cause Ireland problems from Israel and other countries.
Ms Cairns called on him to seek sanctions with the EU Council when he travels to Brussels at the end of the week.
Mr Varadkar said he was waiting to receive legal advice on the issue of introducing sanctions, but added that Ireland's position on Gaza was being recognised around the world as one of leadership.
