SINN Féin MLA Karen Mullan has encouraged the people of Derry to continue to support the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) campaign in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The call comes after hundreds of Palestinians were injured and over 30 killed by Israeli military whilst taking part in legitimate protests to mark Land Day in the occupied Gaza Strip.
The Foyle MLA said: “It is vitally important that people continue to promote the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) campaign as an important tool of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
“It can be done by taking simple steps like checking the barcodes on our groceries when shopping and ensuring that we don’t purchase products from Israel and particularly those produced in illegal settlements on stolen Palestinian land.
“Councillors passed a historic motion within Derry City & Strabane District Council, tabled by Sinn Féin, calling for a full economic, academic and cultural boycott of Israel in 2016. It is important that the momentum of this vote is kept alive by bringing this into effect across Ireland.
“The international community watched in outrage as Palestinians taking part in legitimate protests at the border over the last number of weeks have been fired upon by the Israeli military, killing at least 30 and wounding hundreds of others.
“This is a massacre. There can be no doubt. The Irish government must finally take a stand against Israeli aggression and violence.
“An Taoiseach should expel the Israeli Ambassador and officially recognise the state of Palestine as approved by the Dáil in 2014. There can be no further delay.
“But this is nothing new. Palestinians living in Gaza suffer greatly from the economic blockade which is forced on them.
“Gaza suffers chronic electricity shortages, largely due to the continued Israeli aggression and onslaught which has seriously damaged critical infrastructure, meaning people can’t pump water to their homes or get access to fresh water.
“We should redouble our methods of solidarity to make sure the plight of the Palestinian people and this humanitarian crisis does not go unrecognised – at rallies, meetings, in the elected arenas or on social media,” added Karen Mullan.
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