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This makes Ireland the first European Union (EU) country to use the phrase “de facto annexation” in relation to Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Following the vote, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou MacDonald said on Twitter that the motion should mark a new firm and consistent confrontation over Israel’s crimes against the Palestinians.
Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid said the motion was a great support for Palestine as he praised Ireland.
“This motion provides great support for the de facto annexation issue taking place in Palestine,” he told The Times newspaper. Al Jazeera, Friday (28/5/2021).
Also read: Irish Senator Calls For Sanctions Against Israel, Calling The European Union Hypocritical
“It’s happening. Ireland is the first EU country to take such a position.”
John Brady, Sinn Fein’s spokesman for foreign affairs, hailed the motion as historic and said he hoped other countries would follow Ireland’s lead.
“This is a starting point,” Brady said in a video posted on Twitter, adding that focus should shift to holding Israel accountable for its illegal actions under international law.
“Now there needs to be consequences on Israel to ensure that they cannot continue to act with perceived impunity for the human rights violations against the Palestinian people,” he said.
However, an amendment to the motion that sought to impose sanctions on Israel and expel the Israeli ambassador failed to pass.
Also read: Protests Attack on Gaza, Members of Parliament Urge Ireland to Expel Israel’s Ambassador
Earlier on Tuesday, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the motion was a clear signal of the depth of feeling across Ireland.
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