A show of solidarity to the people of Palestine was a key motion at Galway County Council's October plenary meeting this week, with councillors unanimously passing a motion calling on the Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill.
Introduced by Councillor Louis O'Hara (SF ), at the meeting in County Chamber on Monday, October 21, the motion calls on the Irish Government to legislate the 2018 Occupied Territories Bill which bans trade with the illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
"We in Ireland, who understand the reality what oppression is truly like, should support sanctioning the Israeli government," said Cllr O'Hara, adding, "Supporting the bill is a real action that the Irish Government can undertake to make a difference in Palestine."
The motion was passed unanimously, questioned only by Cllr Noel Thomas (Independent Ireland ) who questioned if the motion was 'even appropriate'.
"Is this appropriate for this chamber to make decisions about this?" said Cllr Thomas adding, "We are all aware of the atrocities in that area, but there are atrocities happening on both side. None of us are out there and I think it is a small bit inappropriate for us to make a judgement on this issue."
This statement drew a cross party response from the councillors present, with Cllr Thomas' party colleague, Cllr Declan Kelly (Independent Ireland ), Cllr Karey McHugh Farag (Ind ) and Cllr Dermot Connolly (SF ) voicing their disagreement with Cllr Thomas.
"I am very in favour of the motion and it is very appropriate for this chamber. Hamas is unmistakably evil, but what has happened since is horrendous. Israel has murdered women and children and aid workers, flattened hospitals - and might I remind my colleague, Cllr Thomas, even fired on our soldiers. I fully support this motion," said Cllr Kelly.
"It is incumbent on all of us to speak out about what is a genocide, and using our voices and bringing it up the channels to bring about a change," said Cllr McHugh Farag, adding, "I know you (Cllr Thomas ) are saying that there are atrocities on both sides, but the balance of the scales are very firmly skewed to one side."
Referencing his experiences visiting Palestinian villages and Gaza before the current conflict began, Cllr Dermot Connolly (SF ) said, "When I was in Jabalia in Gaza, 11 years ago, the Israelis had just left and it was a shanty town and we had to bring in medicine.
"I have been there, my eyes are wide open to the genocide that is going on. Whether it is Netanyahu or his crowd - anyone committing war crimes needs to be taken to the International Criminal Court and we, in Ireland, should be supporting all efforts to take them to The Hague.
"We are letting the Israeli government know that we here in Galway, and I myself, know what they are about and we see them for what they are."
