On Wednesday evening, Sinn Féin voted in favour of a Government Motion re the Situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Government’s motion asserted “Israel’s right to defend itself”, but there was no such assertion of Palestinians’ right to resist occupation and attack. The motion had the usual Western world’s weasel words of sympathy for Palestinians – but included nothing that would rein in Israel’s violence. The motion said Israel’s actions “must be in line with international law”. But Gaza has already been subjected to repeated bombing which has killed hundreds of civilians.
Sinn Féin proposed three amendments to the Government motion, but these were all defeated. It is deeply disappointing that Sinn Féin still voted for the Government motion, letting down Palestinian’s in the process.
People Before Profit proposed a counter motion to the Government, that included an assertion of the right of Palestinians to resist occupation and attack and had calls for;
- expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador.
- resignation of Ursula von der Leyen.
- Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu to be referred to the International Criminal Court.
- the ending of the siege of Gaza, the ending of the occupation of all Palestinian territory, and the dismantling of all illegal settlements.
- boycott of Israeli goods, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel
- dismantling of Israeli apartheid.
But shamefully, Sinn Féin did not support the People Before Profit motion and our motion fell.
This is a cause that is of deep and long-standing importance to Sinn Féin rank and file members, but Sinn Féin’s leadership is failing Palestinians.
It is time for ordinary Sinn Féin members to act, to challenge Sinn Féin leaders and support the Palestinian people now when they need it most.