As the UN continues today to negotiate a resolution calling for the "suspension" of hostilities in Gaza, Cavan County Council recently unanimously supported a motion to call for a "total ceasefire" in the troubled area. The motion was put down by Sinn Féin councillor Paddy McDonald and it received cross-party support from "across the floor". On 7th October, Hamas broke through Israel's heavily guarded perimeter on killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages, some of whom have been freed. Nearly 20,000 people are now reported to have been killed and more than 52,000 injured in Gaza since that day in October. The UN Security Council negotiations have failed to agree a resolution on a ceasefire because a handful of nations including the United States, cannot agree on the wording of the statement.
During the most recent meeting of Cavan County Council, Cllr Paddy McDonald called for a total ceasefire in Gaza to allow aid in to stricken Palestinian civilians. While he told Northern Sound his local action may not make much difference, if every county council in Ireland put down similar motions, the Government and subsequently, the international political world would have to listen.
"There's probably not a lot we can do at a local level," Councillor McDonald said, "but, if all the county councils throughout the 26 counties came together and passed a unanimous motion condemning what has happened and put pressure on the government. The UN Security Council has to pass a motion for a total ceasefire in Gaza at the moment. So that's all we can do at local level. Unfortunately, it's out of our hands but the United Nations are not doing enough, they're sitting back and that is wrong," he said.
