Pringle slams Government party for U-turn on Palestine

By Thomas Pringle
Updated: 19th May 2023

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, recalled Fianna Fáil’s support for the Occupied Territories Bill before they went into Government, as he supported a call for ISIF to divest of holdings in companies with business ties to illegal Israeli settlements.

Addressing the Dáil on Tuesday, Deputy Pringle said: “We cannot continue supporting Israel’s apartheid. It is time we took a stronger stance on this. Seventy-five years ago yesterday, the Nakba took place in Palestine, in which 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly expelled from their homes.

“But the Nakba didn’t end in 1948. It continues to affect more than 12 million Palestinians who remain stateless today as they fight to end Israeli occupation.

“And things are only getting worse. Attacks by Israeli armed forces and settlers against Palestinians have increased dramatically in the past year. Since the start of 2023, Israeli settler-related violence reached an average of three incidents per day compared with two incidents per day in 2022, and one incident per day in 2021, according to the UN,” he said.

The deputy said: “It is clear that the international community needs to step up. Ireland needs to do more and this bill should show our absolute and unwavering support for the Palestinian people.”

Deputy Pringle was speaking in support of Sinn Féin’s Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023, which would compel ISIF to divest itself of its holdings in companies in the UN Database of companies with business ties to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Deputy Pringle said: “I am going to be frank, however. I am sceptical of Sinn Féin’s commitment to this issue. I appreciate that they have brought forward this bill today, but I hope that this is a reflection of their priorities when in Government, but I am not so sure.

“Unfortunately, in this country we have a long history of parties doing one thing in opposition and the exact opposite when they get into Government. Four years ago, Fianna Fáil were in full support of the Occupied Territories Bill. However, since getting into government, this bill has not progressed. I can’t count the number of times I have seen parties U-turn on issues that were once of importance to them and I will be watching very closely over the next few years to ensure that I am very clear on where they stand on issues of importance.

“The situation in Palestine is extremely important to the people of Ireland and extremely important to my constituents in Donegal as well, who I am here to represent. It’s important that we are not afraid to hold all parties to account for their role in facilitating Israel’s apartheid.

“As I have previously stated, I am in support of this legislation today. However I would also like to take this opportunity to urge the Government to progress Senator Frances Black’s Occupied Territories Bill, which has already passed through the Seanad and some stages in the Dáil.

“It can be done, Minister. You fully supported it when you were on this side of the House, so what’s different today?

“Trade rules may apply to all EU member states, however exceptions are granted where they can be justified ‘on grounds of public morality, public policy or public security, and the protection of health and life of humans’.

“It is telling that the Government is so afraid of potentially breaching EU law yet seem to care very little about the fact that Israel is in breach of international law every single day. It is time to stand with the people of Palestine,” he said.