Dublin South East Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Doolan-Supporting Ireland & Palestine

Published: 4 June, 2005

Sinn Féin's Dublin South East Representative, Councillor Daithí Doolan, speaking at today's Palestinian rally in Dublin, called, "on football fans to support Ireland & Palestine and send a clear message to Israel, your occupation of Palestine can not be justified."

Speaking outside Leinster House, Cllr. Doolan said:

"38 years ago tomorrow the Israeli state occupied Palestinian territories. 38 years ago tomorrow the Gaza Strip & the West Bank were annexed by a foreign power and the west stood back and looked on. But time does not justify the occupation, the passing of time will never remove the right of Palestinians to their own country and self determination. Israel continues to break international law and is in breach of every UN resolution on Palestine, this can not be allowed continue. Their ongoing occupation of Palestine continues to be a major stumbling block to lasting peace in the Middle East, until there is withdrawal from the occupied territories and Palestine is granted full and total self determination then there will continue to be conflict. Here in Ireland we know only too well the harsh results of occupation and the resistance to it. But we also know the benefits of dialogue and peace building. Today gives us the unique opportunity to support both Ireland and Palestine.

"Today's football match between Ireland & Israeli is a crude attempt at public relations by Israel, it is an attempt at international normalisation. But there is nothing normal about Israel's treatment of Palestinians and the ongoing occupation of their homeland. There is nothing normal about bull-dozing whole Arab villages, incarcerating 100's of political prisoners, killing 1000's of unarmed Palestinians. Yet this is the reality of life under Israeli occupation. What ever the result in Lansdowne Road we must never let Israel beat the Palestinians."

In conclusion Cllr. Doolan, demanded the Irish government, "to use its influence on the international stage to ensure Israel follows the Middle East road map for peace and engages with the Palestinian leadership as a matter of urgency."