Unionists reject apartheid motion, alluding to ethincal cleansing of Protestants in south Armagh

Despite opposition, Council has this week approved a proposal by majority vote in the wake of findings by Amnesty International on the war in Gaza. The change in policy is set to secure ethical procurement practices by the local authority.

The motion states that “this Council endorses the recent findings of Amnesty International (December 2024), which conclude that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and upholding a system of apartheid. In response to these grave violations of international law and human rights, this Council declares Newry, Mourne & Down District an Apartheid-Free Zone”.

Newry Sinn Fein rep, Cathal King bringing the proposal forward said: “This motion is a direct response to Amnesty International’s report (December 2024), which unequivocally concludes that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and upholding a system of apartheid.

“These findings are undeniably shocking.

“Over 45,000 Palestinians have lost their lives at the hands of Israel in the past 15 months, 70% who were women and children.

“It is imperative that we join a growing movement of local authorities taking a stand against apartheid and systemic oppression. Across Ireland several councils have now made similar declarations."

He added: “This motion is part of a wider effort to ensure our council embraces ethical procurement practices and I understand that officials are currently working on implementing ethical procurement policies, which will ensure that the council’s purchasing decisions align with our shared commitment to human rights and equality.

“It is critical that we make tangible progress in this area.”

Mourne Alliance councillor, Jill Truesdale put forward amendments to the motion, which were accepted.

They included: “Council also condemns in the strongest possible terms the abhorrent war crimes committed by Hamas on 7 October 2023.

“Council also agrees to write to the UK Government to urge support for family visas for those caught up in the conflict in Gaza who want to reunite with their loved ones."

The amended motion gained support from the SDLP with Crotlieve member, Declan McAteer saying: “I have so much respect and understanding for the Jews and what they suffered.

“It is a total disgrace that any Western government is allowing for them (Israel) to continue this outrage in Palestine against people who are suffering the same amount of indignity as the Jewish people suffered under Nazi Germany.”

However, unionists in the chamber voted against the motion alluding to “ethnic cleansing” of Protestants in the council area.

Mournes DUP councillor, Glyn Hanna said: “We in the DUP will not be supporting this. I am going to make it very, very simple we concluded 40 years of murder and destruction here.

“We talk about apartheid, what was going on in south Armagh, along the border regions was ethnic cleansing of the people from the community I come from.

“To be quite honest with you they did not get justice or equality of human rights.

“So, there is absolutely no way, we in the DUP could be supporting this.”

Slieve Gullion UUP representative, David Taylor added: “I share the concerns of Cllr Hanna. As someone who represents south Armagh I am acutely aware of what was inflicted upon the Protestant community in that area during the period of the Troubles.

“I just feel this is an ongoing theme within the council unfortunately in recent months regarding attacks on Israel after the tragedy they experienced.

“That doesn’t take away from the loss of any innocent life that’s happened in Gaza either.

“But I just feel that up to now there hasn’t been any real wholehearted condemnation and whilst the amendment to the motion does recognise the war crimes committed by Hamas, I don’t think we have given full consideration to what Israel has experienced.

“If any of us are genuine about this, we all want to see a genuine peace settlement in the Middle East.”