IPSC welcomes Waterford City Council vote calling for expulsion of Israeli ambassador

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Monday June 14, 2010 23:22 by Fintan Lane - IPSC 087 1258325

IRELAND-PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN

PRESS RELEASE, 14/6/10

Following intensive lobbying by Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) members and supporters - and public outrage in the wake of the Israeli attack on the Gaza 'Freedom Flotilla' - Waterford City Council this evening voted to officially call on the government to have the Israeli ambassador removed from Ireland.

At approximately 6:45pm this evening, Cllr David Cullinane of Sinn Fein, asked formally for a vote on the matter and was supported by the Lord Mayor of Waterford John Halligan. The vote was carried unanimously in favour of the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador.

Speaking after the vote, the Lord Mayor called on other councils around the country to follow Waterford's example and pass similar motions.

The issue of boycotting Israeli goods was also discussed at the meeting with the majority of councillors expressing support for such a course of action, though a vote was not taken on this.

Tom Curran of the Waterford branch of the IPSC tonight thanked the Lord Mayor and councillors for their action and said, "Waterford has chosen to act in solidarity with the people of Gaza and Palestine. I welcome this vote and I hope the government understands that this reflects a widespread feeling throughout Ireland."

Dr Fintan Lane, national media officer with the IPSC and a participant in the 'Freedom Flotilla', commented, "We will be encouraging other councils to follow Waterford's example and we hope that the government is listening. There are many reasons to cut off diplomatic relations with the apartheid Israeli state, but the attack on the aid flotilla to Gaza should surely be the final straw. Israel is a rogue state that must be isolated by the international community. Sanctions should be brought against Israel by the EU and we would like to see the Irish government promoting such measures."

PRESS RELEASE ENDS

For further details, phone:

Fintan Lane (IPSC media officer): 087 1258325

Tom Curran (IPSC Waterford spokesperson): xxxxx