Monday’s (12th January 2009) meeting of Galway County Council saw it unanimously carry a motion expressing its “solidarity with the Palestinian people of the Gaza” and calling on Israel “to immediately desist from their brutal and tyrannical abuse of power”. The motion was proposed by Dermot Connolly of Sinn Féin and seconded by Fianna Fail’s James Joyce. Independent Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig and Labour’s Colm Keaveney both sponsored the motion. Also of significance is the demand that the Irish government should ensure that Israel’s “favourable nation status with the EU be revoked”.
The motion reads:
Having taken into account the suffering of the Jewish people at the hands of a tyrannical regime during the 2nd World War and remembering Ireland’s own sad experiences over several centuries of domination and destruction by a more powerful neighbouring country, we the members of Galway County Council express our solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza and call on Israel to respect the basic human rights of Palestinians.
Monday’s (12th January 2009) meeting of Galway County Council saw it unanimously carry a motion expressing its “solidarity with the Palestinian people of the Gaza” and calling on Israel “to immediately desist from their brutal and tyrannical abuse of power”. The motion was proposed by Dermot Connolly of Sinn Féin and seconded by Fianna Fail’s James Joyce. Independent Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig and Labour’s Colm Keaveney both sponsored the motion. Also of significance is the demand that the Irish government should ensure that Israel’s “favourable nation status with the EU be revoked”.
The motion reads:
Having taken into account the suffering of the Jewish people at the hands of a tyrannical regime during the 2nd World War and remembering Ireland’s own sad experiences over several centuries of domination and destruction by a more powerful neighbouring country, we the members of Galway County Council express our solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza and call on Israel to respect the basic human rights of Palestinians.
We abhor the disproportionate and savage use of superior military attacks from land, sea and air on the helpless citizens of Gaza and call on Israel to immediately desist from their brutal and tyrannical abuse of power, which is destroying the lives and property of ordinary Palestinians.
We support the efforts of Minister Micheál Martin to date and urge the Government to summon the Israeli ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a daily basis because of Israel’s actions in Gaza. This should continue until Israel withdraws and observes a full ceasefire stopping all military acts of aggression.
We also call on the Government to have the favourable nation status for Israel with the European Union revoked.
In conclusion we call on all sides to enter peace talks and a cessation.
Proposed and seconded by Sinn Féin’s Dermot Connolly and James Joyce of Fianna Fail. Supported by Independent Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig and Labour’s Colm Keaveney. ENDS
