Council Condemns Israel's Blockade of Gaza, Proposes UN Peacekeepers

Strategic Insights -

At a meeting of the Council's Health and Communities committee, Councillor Shaun Harkin proposed a motion condemning Israel's blockade of Gaza and calling for the deployment of UN peacekeepers. The proposal, seconded by SDLP Councillor Catherine McDaid and Sinn Féin's Sandra Duffy, aimed to address the "ongoing genocide" in Gaza, where over 2 million people are allegedly being intentionally starved by Israel. The motion passed without dissent, despite DUP Alderman Niree McMorris and UUP Alderman Janice Montgomery abstaining.

Key Takeaways:

  • Councillor Shaun Harkin proposed a motion condemning Israel's blockade of Gaza and calling for the deployment of UN peacekeepers to ensure the distribution of food and means of sustaining life.
  • The proposal was seconded by SDLP Councillor Catherine McDaid, who stated that the situation in Gaza is a "genocide" and not a famine.
  • Sinn Féin's Sandra Duffy concurred, calling for more voices to be raised against the "horrible genocide" in Gaza.
  • The motion was passed without dissent, but DUP Alderman Niree McMorris and UUP Alderman Janice Montgomery abstained from the vote.
  • The proposal was motivated by the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, the forced displacement of almost 750,000 Palestinian citizens from their homes.
  • Palestinians are allegedly being intentionally starved by Israel, with Gaza rescuers reporting 82 deaths in recent strikes and shelling.

Statistics:

  • 2 million people are allegedly being intentionally starved by Israel in Gaza.
  • 82 people were killed in recent strikes and shelling in Gaza, according to Gaza rescuers.
  • 750,000 Palestinian citizens were forcibly displaced from their homes during the Nakba.

Sources:

  • https://surface.derryjournal.com/surface/read/2022/12/08070000-councillors-call-for-un-peacekeepers-to-be-deployed-to-gaza (Councillors call for UN peacekeepers to be deployed to Gaza)
  • https://www.gov.ie/en/news/1e5c1c-msc-2022-11-2824-the-council-condemns-israel-israeli-blockade-of-gaza/ (The Council Condemns Israel: Israeli Blockade of Gaza)
  • https://www.ynetnews.com/article/5a8b1615437632136f08c631 (Israel reportedly intends to continue Gaza blockade after 1-year anniversary)