Lord Mayor of Dublin calls for Israeli envoy’s expulsion from Ireland
Sinn Fein councillor Micheal Mac Donncha joined by Palestinian ambassador as a book of condolence is opened
The Lord Mayor of Dublin has called for the Israeli ambassador to be expelled, as a book of condolence was opened in the city for the Palestinian victims of the conflict in Gaza.
Micheal Mac Donncha, a Sinn Fein councillor, was joined by Palestinian ambassador Ahmad Abdelrazek to open the book of condolence at Mansion House.
Almost 60 Palestinians were killed and more than 2,700 injured by Israeli forces during protests on Monday.
Mr Mac Donncha said: “I think there is tremendous sympathy among the people of Dublin for the people of Palestine and also a lot of anger, deep anger, at the actions of the Israeli government.”
Asked if he supported calls for the Israeli ambassador to be expelled from Ireland, he said: “I think it has come to that and that is the position of the city council.”
On Tuesday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “The Government will not be expelling the ambassador at this time.
“In fact in recent decades, if ever, Ireland has never expelled an ambassador. That is not the way we believe we should engage with other states.”
Mr Varadkar expressed his shock at the deaths and said: “There is no indication that the scale of the threat could have justified such violence and so many deaths.”
Mr Abdelrazek said he felt the “solidarity and sympathy” of the Irish people.
He said: “I will always appreciate that. This time you can measure how the Irish people are outraged.”
Members of the public began to arrive at Mansion House to sign the book of condolence after it was opened at midday on Wednesday.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
