Israel lashes ‘outrageous’ Galway ban
Published:
-
-
Author: Dara Bradley
~ 2 minutes read
From this week's Galway City Tribune
Israel has fired back at Galway City Councillors who unanimously backed a motion that told the Jewish state its government officials were not welcome in the City of the Tribes while it perpetrates war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon.
The Israeli Embassy in Dublin labelled the vote by City Councillors as an “anti-Israel initiative purely driven by hate”.
At their October meeting, elected members unanimously agreed a motion, which said Galway City Council, “will not welcome any future entry to Galway City by the Prime Minister of Israel, the President of Israel or any member of the Israeli Government, including its ambassadors, for as long as the illegal occupation of Palestine and bordering countries continues, and war crimes are being perpetrated by the Israeli State”.
They also condemned Israel’s incursion into Lebanon.
Proposer, Councillor Níall McNelis (Lab) said it was unlikely the Israeli Government would pay any heed to the motion.
But the Embassy of Israel to Ireland has responded, calling it an “outrageous act against the only Jewish state”.
“In the past year we have seen a troubling rise in anti-Israel discourse in Ireland, which has often mutated into antisemitism and the delegitimisation of Israel.
“Coupled with this, we have witnessed the promotion of certain initiatives which, far from helping the Palestinians, only manifest as punitive actions against Israel,” a spokesperson for Israel said in a statement to the Galway City Tribune.
“The decision taken by Galway City Council is yet another outrageous act against the only Jewish State, especially in the wake of the brutal aggression by Hamas and the ongoing rocket attacks by Hezbollah from Lebanon which have forced scores of thousands of Israelis to flee their homes.
“The decision is not about improving the lives of Palestinians, promoting peace or addressing the terror organisations who control Gaza and Lebanon, but it is another anti-Israeli initiative purely driven by hate,” it added.
At the same October meeting, City Councillors also unanimously backed a motion from Independent Mike Cubbard calling on the Government, to implement the Occupied Territories Bill after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) finding that Israel has unlawfully occupied areas of Palestine.
Pictured: Cllr Niall McNelis: proposed motion that Israeli Government reps are not welcome in Galway.
More like this:
Fresh application lodged for major sports facility in Athenry
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMFresh plans for a major sports training facility at M...
Investigation into car set on fire in driveway of house on Rahoon Road
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMGardaí are investigating after a car parked in the dr...
Independent Ireland party expected to back Catherine Connolly for presidential bid
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMThe Independent Ireland party appears to be backing C...
Step forward for 55 social homes and special needs facility in Athenry
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM55 social homes and a new care home are coming to Ath...
New sniffer dog detects 8 drug possession incidents during Ceannt Station operation
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMAn Garda Síochána's new sniffer dog detected eight in...
Catherine Connolly to make Presidential campaign pitch at Labour meeting
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMGalway West TD Catherine Connolly is to make her Pres...
145 fines for unlawful use of bus lanes in Galway over past two years
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMGardaí have issued 145 fines for the unlawful use of ...
Funding to be sought for works to address flood issues at Athenry playground
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMFunding is to be sought for works to help address flo...
Galway in top 5 counties for generating wind energy
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMGalway is in the top five counties for generating win...