Daithí Doolan, Sinn Féin Leader on Dublin City Council and European election candidate for Dublin, has tonight said that Irish politicians must show leadership, both at home and on the world stage, in standing in solidarity with Palestine and holding Israel to account.

Cllr Doolan was speaking ahead of a debate on Gaza at tonight’s Dublin City Council meeting.

He said that the Irish government must do more, including ending its obstruction of Sinn Féin’s Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill, and that no Irish MEP should vote in support of Ursula von der Leyen’s bid for a second term as President of the European Commission.

Cllr Doolan said:

“Dublin City Council stands with Gaza tonight. We must use every avenue available to us to show solidarity with the people of Palestine but more crucially, we must use every avenue available to us to hold the Israeli regime accountable for its war crimes.

“Irish politicians must show leadership. For the government’s part, that includes ending its obstruction of Sinn Féin’s Illegal Israel Settlements Divesment legistlation, as well as making a meaningful declaration in the ICJ Genocide case against Israel without further delay, expelling the Israeli ambassador, enacting the Occupied Territories Bill, increasing pressure to suspend the EU-Israel association agreement, and by recognising the state of Palestine.

“With the European elections coming up in June, the public is watching and expects their MEPs and candidates to commit to doing the right thing. There simply cannot be any votes from Irish MEPs for Ursula von der Leyen’s bid for a second term as President of the European Commission.

“Ursula von der Leyen’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been a mark of shame for the European Union. That shame will be shared by any Irish MEP who endorses her for a second term.

“For Dublin City Council’s part, we must now actively support Palestine against the ongoing genocide in Gaza. One practical step is that we ensure procurement contracts exclude any company who does business with Israel.

“This would send out a very clear message, particularly if we coordinate this with the other three local authorities in the Dublin region.

“Every diplomatic, economic and political measure at our disposal – at home and on the European and world stages – must be utilised without delay for there to be a lasting ceasefire and a chance of building a lasting peace.”