Kildare politician attacks boycott of goods from Israeli-occupied Palestine

A Kildare councillor criticised a move to support a boycott of goods produced in Israeli occupied territories in Palestine.

Social Democrats councillor Claire O’Rourke sought backing at a Kildare County Council meeting for KCC to support the sanction and boycott “as far as is practicable.”

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She said she was doing this “in a spirit of solidarity with all who oppose genocide" until Israel observes international law and recognises human rights standards.

But independent Newbridge councillor Tom McDonnell criticised the move, saying there was inadequate condemnation of the Hamas attack in Israel in 2023 or the murders at Bondi Beach in Australia.

“It’s outrageous, I won’t support it,” he said. He also claimed there had been no condemnation of murders in Africa.

“We don’t hear anything about Christian murders in Nigeria.”

He referred to “100,000 murders” and said “Christian people are being murdered wholesale.”

Sinn Féin’s Noel Connolly was among those who supported the motion and said “silence is complicity when genocide is taking place.”

Cllr Chris Pender (SD) said KCC has a role in setting ethical standards, adding that Christians, Muslims and Jews live in Palestine. He described the situation there as one of the worst genocides the world has seen.

KCC’s chief executive Sonya Kavanagh also spoke against the motion.

“We can't leave KCC open to legal challenge. There is a legal risk,” Ms Kavanagh said.

KCC official Eoghan Ryan said the council is currently obliged to comply with EU procurement directives and national procurement advice (from the government). 

He said the motion would need a “national or central government approach in order (for it to be enforceable).”

Nevertheless, a majority of the councillors (20) voted in favour of it, with nine against and seven opting not to vote.