This week, the Dáil will vote on the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, following a motion by the Social Democrats to remove the diplomat, reports Independent.
The party’s foreign affairs spokesman, Gary Gannon, today tabled a motion calling on the government to “withdraw the diplomatic status” of the ambassador “given the failure of the Israeli state to cease the deliberate targeting of civilians, journalists, UN staff and healthcare workers”, reports Independent.
Several other groups have called for Ms. Ehrlich’s removal because of Israel’s continued violations of international law during the more than month-long war in Gaza.
Sinn Féin called for the ambassador’s expulsion after activists put pressure on party leader Mary Lou MacDonald to reject calls for Ms Ehrlich to leave.
However, Sinn Féin refused to table a motion calling for it to be stripped of its diplomatic status, reports Independent.
Sinn Féin is the only opposition party allowed to submit proposals every week. Other smaller groups have to wait their turn every week.
People Before Profit said it would table the motion later this month when it will have the opportunity to use the Dáil to call for expulsion.
The motion also states: “EU Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen’s unequivocal support for Israel, despite its flouting of international law, has seriously undermined the EU’s response to this crisis,” reports Independent.
“A war crime is defined by the nature of the act – not the identity of the perpetrator,” it adds, reports Independent.
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