McShane 'disappointed' as Gaza motion falls

INDEPENDENT councillor Padraig McShane said it was "deeply disappointing" Moyle Council failed to back his motion calling for the removal of the Israeli ambassador to Ireland in the light of recent incidents connected to Gaza.

The councillor said the recent incidents onboard an aid flotilla on its way to Gaza in which several people died were a "war crime".

Cllr McShane's call was backed by three Sinn Fein councillors but SDLP abstained which meant six councillors including Unionist representatives were able to block the McShane motion.

Cllr McShane also wanted a letter to be written to the UK government asking them to stop arms dealing with Israel and he said he wanted to send out a "humanitarian message" from Ballycastle, saying: "It is time that Moyle Council spoke out against this."

But after the meeting, in a statement to the Times, Cllr McShane said: "It is deeply disappointing that this Council refused to permit the people of Moyle a voice on the humanitarian crises unfolding in Gaza.

"No one expects Moyle District Council to hold the Israeli Government to account for their crimes, but the people of Moyle had an opportunity to add their voices to a large cacophony of sound now reverberating throughout this island and the world, rejecting the Israeli imposed blockade on Gaza.

"Congratulations must go to those onboard the International Aid Flotilla who risked their lives to continue to bring the humanitarian crises to the world's attention.