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Pringle welcomes Donegal council motion on Occupied Territories Bill: ‘We cannot stand by in the face of genocide’
- Updated: 25th November 2024
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has welcomed the motion Donegal County Council will consider on Monday to press government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill, saying, “we cannot stand by in the face of genocide”.
Deputy Pringle said: “This is something the Fine Gael/Fianna Fáil/Green government should have done long ago.
“I will be in Lifford on Monday with Senator Eileen Flynn and Senator Frances Black for the council debate on this important motion that has been brought forward by independent Councillor Jimmy Brogan.
“We cannot stand by in the face of genocide. We must pass the Occupied Territories Bill, and we must also ensure that our airports and airspace are not used to transport arms.
“Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed more than 44,000 people, more than half of them women and children, since October of last year. The Gaza Health Ministry says the real toll is no doubt higher because of the thousands of bodies buried under rubble, or left in areas that medics cannot reach.
“The International Criminal Court recently issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, accusing them of war crimes including starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity. What more will it take to see a meaningful response?
“It’s a disgrace that the Palestinian people have been abandoned by the European Union and the international community. When Ireland recognised the state of Palestine this year, I said it would be an empty gesture without meaningful action. We’re still waiting to see action.
“The Palestinian people can’t afford to wait any longer.
“Two weeks ago in the Dáil, I called on the government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill before the general election. I put forward a procedural motion that would have allowed the committee stage to go ahead. Shamefully, the government has had every opportunity to pass this bill, even at that late stage, and they chose time and again not to do so.
“We can’t allow this important action to be delayed for another five years while the people of Palestine continue to suffer. The time for delays and excuses is long past. The people are well ahead of the Government on this – we have seen marches, vigils and protests calling for a ceasefire across Donegal and across the country over this past year.
“I want to credit Senator Flynn, Senator Black and their Civil Engagement Group colleagues in the Seanad, who have been tireless advocates for the Occupied Territories Bill, which Senator Black brought to the Seanad in 2018.
“Senator Flynn and Senator Black have been travelling the country, urging local councillors to adopt motions in support of the bill, which would ban and criminalise trade between Ireland and Israel’s illegal settlements in the West Bank.
“I also want to credit Councillor Jimmy Brogan for bringing this important motion before the council. There is a significant role here for local councillors to stand with the people and put pressure on government to finally get this bill passed and enacted,” he said.
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