Dublin City Council has agreed to fly the Palestinian flag over the next week in solidarity with the people of Gaza as Israel's bombardment of the territory rages on.
The Independent Group, Sinn Féin, Social Democrats, People before Profit and a number of individual councillors submitted a motion to the council on the measure, which has now been given the go-ahead.
The motion to fly the flag was agreed unanimously at Tuesday night’s monthly council meeting.
A similar motion put forward by the Independent Group last month was defeated, despite there being an overall vote in favour of flying the Palestinian flag. Too many councillors abstained from the vote, so the quota was not reached.
Independent Group leader Cllr Cieran Perry said he is “delighted” with the support for the motion.
“With the recommencement of the genocidal bombardment in Gaza by the rogue Israeli state, it is now more important than ever to show public support for the people of Gaza.
“Over 15,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the indiscriminate attacks began, more than 6,000 of the victims have been children.
This slaughter must stop. We reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire and for the release of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” Cllr Perry said.
Echoing his comment, Cllr Noeleen Reilly said the bobing of innocent people in Gaza is “unforgivable”.
“Anyone not calling for an immediate ceasefire will find themselves on the wrong side of history. The flying of the Palestinian flag will show our disgust at the continuation of the Israeli ethnic cleansing of the people of Gaza.”
The move will mark the second time the Palestinian flag has been flown at City Hall, following a similar decision in 2017 to show support for the people of Palestine after 50 years of Israeli occupation in the West Bank.
However, the decision drew criticism from the then Israeli ambassador Ze’ev Boker and former minister for justice Alan Shatter.
Mr Shatter has once again criticised the decision to fly the Palestinian flag over City Hall, tweeting that the council has “abandoned the pretence”, “in support of Hamas”.
