Opposition seek free Government vote on sale of Israeli bonds
Four opposition parties have called on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs to be given a free vote on an upcoming Dáil motion which seeks to prevent the Irish Central Bank from facilitating the sale of Israeli bonds.
A cross-party motion will be brought forward on Wednesday by the Social Democrats, which is being backed by Sinn Fein, Labour and People Before Profit / Solidarity.
Speaking at Leinster House today, Social Democrats deputy Sinéad Gibney said that Government TDs should be allowed to vote with their conscience, saying she believed such a motion would have a "domino effect" and other countries will adopt a similar stance.
She said it's the "time and moment to stand up" as the bonds are being used by the Israeli government to buy "bullets and bombs to kill people."
Sinn Féin deputy Seán Crowe said his party backed the Social Democrats plan, after bringing a similar motion to the floor of the Dáil last month.
He said that things are getting worse in Gaza "every week", even though at times it seemed impossible for such a scenario to be possible.
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy accused the Israeli government of "using access to humanitarian aid as a weapon of war", adding that its navy had "kidnapped" pro-Palestinian activists overnight on the freedom flotilla which was attempting to bring desperately needed supplies to Gaza.
He said that there "must be no complicity in this genocide" by the Irish nation, and he said the Irish government must ensure that the Central Bank is not "facilitating this genocide."
Labour whip Duncan Smith said adopting the motion would send a "clear signal" that Ireland refuses "morally and ethically" to stand-over war bonds.
He said he met members of Human Rights Watch last week who told him that while the Irish government may be doing more than other States on Gaza, "the bar is so low."
Deputy Smith also criticised the Coalition for saying it will work with the Opposition when constructive motions are put forward, but then goes on to block them.
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