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The Irish government has rejected parliamentary motions calling on it to apply sanctions to the cause of Israel and South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The Irish government has faced fresh pressure to join the genocide case against Israel, as opposition parties criticized its decision to wait for the ICJ’s initial findings.
South Africa has brought a case against Israel’s action in Gaza, which has killed 25,000 people since October, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Dail parliament in Dublin held a series of votes on motions and amendments tabled by parties and the opposition.
A motion first filed through the government on Tuesday said it would “intervene strongly” in the ICJ case only after the court issues its order on the initial measures and the filing of South Africa’s most important case.
It accepted on Wednesday by 71 votes to 62, after amendments from the opposition Labor Party, Sinn Fein, the Social Democrats and People Before Profit were defeated.
During what was described as a “voting party” by Ceann Comhairle (chair) Sean O Fearghail, the government’s opposition to a separate but similar movement pushed by the Social Democrats on the factor also passed through the Dail by a margin of 71 votes to 58.
Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns said Ireland deserves to interfere in South Africa’s case at the ICJ.
“We are told that the government will intervene seriously in the South African case, but only after the initial ruling has been issued through the ICJ,” says @HollyCairnsTD
“It may only take months.
“Meanwhile, an average of 250 Palestinians are killed every day. “pic. twitter. com/SmPRM67uRc
— Social Democrats (@SocDems) January 24, 2024
She said: “We don’t want to wait for the initial trials and upcoming evidence to show our support. I’m sure the government knows that.
Hundreds of protesters had gathered outside Leinster House on Wednesday night over the Social Democrats’ motion.
Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and carried placards which called on the Taoiseach to boycott the traditional annual trip to the White House for St Patrick’s Day over US support of Israel.
Under the night sky, protesters set up a luminous sign reading “Gaza” in front of the gates of Leinster House.
Delivering a speech at the protest, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the U. S. and major European Union states were “up to their necks in Palestinian blood and complicit in Israeli crimes. “
He added: “It is beyond shameful that the Irish Government, still this week, is refusing to commit to support South Africa’s brave, courageous decision to take Israel to the ICJ for the crime of genocide against the people of Gaza.”
Labor leader Ivana Bacik said Israel practices apartheid.
She said: “Today we stand in solidarity with the other Gazans as they suffer horrific bombardments. “
Independent Senator Frances Black said: “Three-and-a-half months into this nightmare, the government remains undecided.
“After all this time, all this death, all this destruction, all these horrors, the government still refuses to take concrete action. This begs the question: if not now, when?
“What does Israel want to do to get Ireland to impose sanctions? Is empty rhetoric the only thing we can offer our Palestinian brothers and sisters when they are looking for something practical in their darkest hours?
During today’s Dail debate, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said the government takes the South African case “very seriously”.
“Any decision we make in relation to an intervention will be based on a detailed and rigorous legal analysis,” he added.
“The government’s position has been transparent and consistent in all facets of its bilateral engagement. We want a humanitarian ceasefire.
“This is a message that we have conveyed to the United Nations and that remains at the heart of Tanaiste strategy at this week’s Foreign Affairs Council. “
Sinn Fein’s Matt Carthy said more than 25,000 people, plus 10,000 children, had been killed in the past 100 days.
He said the Israeli army attacked all hospitals in Gaza and demolished buildings.
“If that isn’t genocide, well then, I really do not know what genocide will ever mean again because what would we apply that term to?” Mr Carthy added.