PBP seeks opposition support for motion calling for Israeli ambassador to be expelled

Motion aims to 'exert pressure' on the Government to further denounce the actions of Israel in Gaza

People Before Profit has called on opposition TDs to co-sign a Dáil motion that would push for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador Dana Erlich. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

People Before Profit (PBP) has called on opposition TDs to co-sign a Dáil motion that would push for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and seek to introduce sanctions against Israel.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, PBP TD Richard Boyd Barrett said that the motion is being brought forward to put additional pressure on the Government to further denounce the actions of Israel.

“We have circulated this motion amongst left-leaning opposition TDs and parties to put maximum pressure on the Government over Israel’s shocking and brutal war crimes and ethnic cleansing in Gaza,” Mr Boyd Barrett said.

“Other countries are acting against Israel for the crimes they are committing, by imposing sanctions and expelling the Israeli ambassadors in their countries.” 

Mr Boyd Barrett said that Ireland should refer Israel and the Israeli government to the International Criminal Court, saying that the country has committed “war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity”.

“Israeli ministers have clearly and brazenly stated their intention to commit these crimes,” Mr Boyd Barrett said.

“Ireland should take the lead on decrying the horrendous actions by Israel, the vicious murder of children and civilians. 

"We sincerely hope that all the left-leaning opposition parties and TDs in the Dáil sign this motion so that we can exert pressure on this Government to go beyond words at international level.” 

In recent days, both Sinn Féin and PBP have called for the Government to expel the Israeli ambassador over Israel's actions in Gaza.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, however, has said that the calls did not represent a “commonsense approach”.

On Tuesday, Israeli ambassador Dana Erlich said that the Government was not “politically neutral” when it came to the Israeli-Hamas conflict, adding that people in Ireland were “afraid to speak publicly” in support of Israel.