In a highly anticipated Council Meeting held today in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, Councillors voted to endorse a motion supporting the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.
The motion, proposed by Independent Councillor Hugh Lewis and seconded by People Before Profits' Melissa Halpin, aims to pressure Israel into complying with International Law and Universal Principles of Human Rights.
The outcome of the vote saw 23 councillors in favour of the motion, 11 against, and three abstentions.
Melissa Halpin, speaking passionately in favour of the motion, drew parallels with the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. She emphasized that a Boycott Divestment and Sanctions campaign can serve as a powerful tool to bring about peace. Her Green Party colleague, Oisin O’Connor, echoed her sentiments, stating that the motion simply seeks to formally support the BDS movement, which the council has the authority to do. Speaking on an earlier motion O’Connor said that ‘this is not a balanced conflict”.
However, not all councillors agreed. Cllr Tom Kivlehan, also from the Green Party, attempted to discredit the BDS movement by suggesting it was affiliated with Hamas. Kivlehan voted against the motion. 10 Fine Gael councillors also voted against the motion while three abstained.
During the debate Fine Gael’s Cllr John Kennedy voiced frustration saying that his motion to honour Charlie Bird, a constituent in his ward in Stillorgan, was being overlooked. He accused the chair of prioritising discussions on the Gaza situation and said that “there is an overemphasis on what is happening in Gaza”.
Ten days ago, UN experts said that Gaza is running out of time. Last week the Director of the World Health Organisation, told the UN Security Council that on average a child is killed every ten minutes in Gaza, that 1.5 million people have been displaced and that nowhere and no one is safe.
Doctors Without Borders reported that medical staff were forced to flee hospitals carrying children that had been hooked up to life support and that babies in incubators had to be abandoned.
A petition calling on the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown council to support the BDS campaign gained significant traction. Within just two days, the petition garnered the support of over 600 individuals. This demonstrates a strong grassroots movement within the community, highlighting the level of concern and support for people of Palestine.
A National Demonstration, called by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, on the 18th of November in Dublin is expected to draw thousands of people.
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown has strong tradition of supporting human rights in Gaza. I’m 2019 hundreds of people in Ballybrack welcomed children from the Al Helal football club in Gaza, who were brought to Ireland for respite.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett is one of the most vocal TD’s in the Dáil his staunch unwavering support of the Palestinians is internationally renowned.
Independent Cllr Hugh Lewis took part in the Freedom Flotilla which attempted to break the blockade of Gaza 12 years ago and for which he spent two weeks in an Israeli jail.
Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Labour) told the Council that she got to visit Palestine about two years ago. She described the current situation as harrowing, devastating and heartbreaking. Justin Moylan of Fianna Fáil said that right now a ceasefire is required.
Social Democrats Cllr Dave Quinn said “we do want to take sides. We want to take sides in favour of international law and human rights. He said we could, and we should go much further than this. The Social Democrats are due to table a motion to the Dáil this week to expel the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland.
The Council's decision to support the BDS movement sends a strong message to Israel and the international community. It remains to be seen how this endorsement will impact but the majority, stand firmly on the side of the Palestinians, their right to life and for peace.
NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION WILL TAKE PLACE SATURDAY 18th NOVEMBER 1 P.M.
Meeting place at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square.
All Welcome.