Dublin City Council votes to fly Palestinian flag above City Hall

A motion submitted by The Independent Group, Sinn Féin, Social Democrats, People Before Profit and a number of individual Councillors to fly the Palestinian flag above City Hall was approved in a vote last night.

The motion to fly the flag was agreed unanimously at last night’s Council meeting and the flag will be flown for seven days.

Independent Group leader on Dublin City Council Cieran Perry said “I am delighted with the support for the motion tonight. 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.”

“Even the countries complicit in supporting the murderous Israeli campaign in Gaza are coming under pressure from the huge demonstrations in their countries and the humanitarian backlash they are suffering,” he said.

Perry stated it is “obvious” that the state of Israel “couldn’t care less about the widespread disgust at their indiscriminate slaughter of civilians in Gaza, so we have to continue to keep the pressure on the leaders in the countries supporting the genocide.”

“Over 15,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the indiscriminate attacks began, and 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.”

Councillor Noeleen Reilly said “continuing to drop bombs on innocent men, women and children 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.”

Former Lord Mayor and Independent Councillor Christy Burke commented “the Independent Group call on the American government to intervene and use their influence with Israel to stop the indiscriminate slaughter of people in Gaza. The voice of ordinary people has been seen and heard worldwide and now it is time for those in power to step up to the plate.

A previous motion to fly the flag above City Hall failed at last month’s Council meeting as it was submitted as an emergency motion.

Under Council rules, an emergency motion needed a majority of two-thirds of Councillors present, and Fianna Fáil abstained from the motion on that occasion, meaning that while the vote received majority support, it didn’t reach the threshold on that occasion.