Dáil rejects vote to expel Israeli ambassador

The Dáil has voted not to expel the Israeli ambassador and not to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court.

The motions, put forward by the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin respectively, saw the coalition parties vote against the motions.

The Social Democrats’ motion called for the diplomatic credentials of Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich to be revoked.

The motion also called for Ireland to apply pressure at a Brussels level to seek a suspension of the EU-Israel trade deal, invoking a human rights clause in the agreement, and suspend Israel from participation in the Horizon Europe research funding initiative.

A separate Sinn Féin motion urging the Government to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court over their actions in Gaza was also defeated by 77 votes to 58.

The Sinn Féin motion specifically called for Israel to be referred to the International Criminal Court in the context of the ongoing war.

The International Criminal Court opened proceedings against Israel in late 2019 for alleged war crimes committed in Palestine during the 2014 Gaza war.

Government TDs tabled a counter-motion to replace the Social Democrats’ motion with a motion that asserted that Ireland will maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and “pursue all possible avenues at the European Union and the United Nations to build an international alliance for peace”.

Speaking after the vote, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said “the slaughter of innocent civilians in Gaza will not end without international pressure.”

“Despite the overwhelming support of the Irish people, this Government has chosen not to act.”

In October, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said there were no plans to expel the Israeli ambassador, noting that Ireland did not expel the Russian ambassador in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

Government’s motion stated that they will “intensify advocacy for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”.

It will also “continue Ireland’s consistent and strong support for the International Criminal Court and to uphold the independence and impartiality of the Court”.

The government’s amendment was passed with 85 votes in favour and 55 against.