The Government’s refusal to allow time next week for a Dáil debate on Ireland formally recognising the State of Palestine – to coincide with International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – has been described as a missed opportunity by Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon.
Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs, said:
“Yesterday, I wrote to the Ceann Comhairle and members of the Oireachtas Business Committee, asking for time to be set aside in the Dáil next week for statements or a debate on Ireland recognising the State of Palestine. It is extremely disappointing and frustrating that my proposal was not supported by the Government TDs sitting on the committee.
“Given that November 29 is annually observed as International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, next Wednesday would have been a fitting time for the Government to formally recognise the State of Palestine.
“Each year on this date, the UN urges action on granting Palestinians sovereignty and independence from Israeli occupation and for their human rights to be respected according to the UN General Assembly.
“The indiscriminate slaughter of over 14,000 men, women and children in Gaza since October 7 has brought the oppression and unbearable suffering of the Palestinian people into even sharper focus.
“If the Government had agreed to recognise the State of Palestine on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, it would have sent a powerful and symbolic message around the world and underscored Ireland’s abhorrence of Israel’s atrocities.”
November 23, 2023