Government votes down South Africa genocide motion

The Sinn Féin motion, which was debated in the Dáil, called on the Government to immediately declare its plans to intervene in South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice 

During the debate, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that he is “puzzled” by the reaction of opposition TDs to Ireland’s response to attacks in Gaza when Palestinian officials are welcoming the Government’s support. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The Government has voted down a Sinn Féin motion calling for Ireland to immediately declare its intention to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.

The Sinn Féin motion, which was debated on Tuesday in the Dáil, called on the Government to immediately declare its plans to intervene in South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

However, a Government amendment to the motion slightly changed the wording. 

This wording change said that the Government would consider filing an intervention in the South Africa case, following legal analysis.

The Government's amendment was passed by the Dáil, with 70 votes in favour and 63 against.

During the debate on Tuesday, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that he is “puzzled” by the reaction of opposition TDs to Ireland’s response to attacks in Gaza when Palestinian officials are welcoming the Government’s support.

“I cannot help but be puzzled by the disconnect between what I hear in this chamber and what I hear internationally,” Mr Martin told the Dáil.

“What we hear from the opposition benches is that the Government should be ashamed — of not doing enough, of not representing the will of the Irish people, of letting down the Palestinian people.

“But shame is not the word I hear outside this House. Shame is not the word I hear from our partners in Palestine and across the Arab world and the Global South; from the UN agencies and civil society organisations that we work with.” 

Mr Martin said that he has received requests for Ireland to maintain its current position and be a “principled and effective” voice within both the EU and UN on Palestine.

The Tánaiste also criticised the opposition for calling on Ireland to join the South African case, saying that this is not how the ICJ works. 

He said that interventions are not able to be filed until South Africa files its main case — or memorial — with the ICJ.

Introducing the Sinn Féin motion, the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson Matt Carthy said that the provisional measures from the ICJ were “historic”.

“Crucially, the court clarified that the Palestinian people of Gaza are entitled to be protected from acts of genocide under the convention. 

"It clearly stated that some of the claims made by South Africa are plausible,” Mr Carthy said.

“In effect, the ICJ has found that genocide may or may imminently be committed by Israel against the Palestinian people of Gaza.” 

Mr Carthy said that this means the Government “can no longer deny” that there is an imminent threat of genocide in Gaza".