'Palestine' motion passed by Limerick councillors, despite opposition

ELECTED members of Limerick City and County Council have passed a motion supporting an Amnesty International document called Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: A Cruel System of Domination and a Crime Against Humanity.

The motion, brought forward by Social Democrats councillor for Limerick City West, Elisa O’Donovan, also call for the support of the Palestinian boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) movement.

During discussions, Limerick City North and Fianna Fáil councillor Kieran O’Hanlon raised concerns about councillors passing a motion about a document “most” had not read and asked for the motion to be moved to the next council meeting so enough time is had to read it.

Green Party councillor, Seán Hartigan dismissed this sentiment saying the document was on the agenda and councillors should have done their homework before attending the meeting.

Despite the objection, Ms O’Donovan formally proposed her motion.

“I’m also raising this at the meeting today in the context that last year we saw a horrific situation evolve in the Ukraine and this council held a special meeting to discuss the crisis in the Ukraine. Looking at the minutes of the special meeting, the Mayor at the time outlined that there are protocols in place within the council to support the humanitarian crisis and I would like to praise the council for their response to the Ukrainian crisis at the time of course I believe we are seeing a very similar humanitarian crisis at the moment…” she said.

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Labour councillor Conor Sheehan, with the permission of Cllr O’Donovan, made an amendment to the motion to include that the council to write to the Government leaders to ask them to pass the Occupied Territories Bill which was initially proposed by Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins in 2019, before the previous general election.

Independent councillor for Adare-Rathkeale, Emmett O’Brien was the only vocal opponent.

He said he does not break out in a cold sweat every night over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.