THE Dail was suspended today after a protest broke out in the public gallery during statements on the recognition of Palestine.
The Government today officially recognised the State of Palestine after a motion was agreed at Cabinet in a move alongside Spain and Norway.
During the latter stages of statements on the issue in the Dail, a group of just over 10 people in the public gallery began shouting and clapping.
Some protestors called for “sanctions now”. The chants and clapping started in one part of the public gallery and spread with people clapping in unison.
The protest started just as Fine Gael TD Emer Higgins took to her feet to give her speech on the issue.
Leas Ceann Comhairle Catherine Connolly repeatedly asked the protestors to desist before she quickly suspended the Dail.
Earlier this week, Taoiseach Simon Harris did not rule out pushing for sanctions against Israel following their continued attacks on Rafah where thousands of civilians have been killed.
The protest comes on the day that Ireland officially recognised the State of Palestine.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “Today’s decision by Government represents our conviction that a political path is the only way to break the cycle of dispossession, subjugation, dehumanisation, terrorism and death that has blighted the lives of Israelis and Palestinians for decades.
“Prospects for a lasting peace have never been more in peril and it is imperative we act now, alongside our likeminded partners, to protect the viability of a two-State solution and the equal rights of Palestinians and Israelis to self-determination, peace, security and dignity.”
During his speech in the Dail, Tanaiste Micheal Martin explained why Ireland was moving to recognise the State of Palestine.
He said: “Our recognition of the State of Palestine has three fundamental purposes.
“First, it makes clear our view that it is time Palestine takes its full place amongst the nations of the world; that its right to self-determination, self-governance and territorial integrity and sovereignty must now be vindicated.
“As the UN General Assembly agreed earlier this month, Palestine is ready to take on all the rights and obligations of a State, under the UN Charter.
“Second, it is an expression of our belief in the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike. The aspirations of both peoples must be afforded equal legitimacy, based on a two-State solution that delivers a just and sustainable peace.
“Third, it is a reiteration of our fundamental conviction that the only just and sustainable peaceful solution, for both Palestinians and Israelis, is the implementation of that two-State solution, ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine and resulting in a viable, contiguous Palestinian State in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, based on the 1967 borders.”
