November 15, 2023: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside a Garda Corden as the Dáil voted on two motions regarding Israel and the conflict in Gaza.RollingNews.ie

Two motions calling for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, imposing sanctions against Israel, and referring Israel to the International Criminal Court were defeated in the Dáil Éireann on Wednesday night, November 15.

Sinn Féin introduced a motion on Tuesday calling, in part, for Ireland to refer Israeli attacks in Gaza to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation.

An amendment to Sinn Féin's motion, which removed the call to refer Israel to the ICC, passed with 77 votes to 58, while the amended motion ultimately passed 80 votes to 60 votes.

Sinn Féin called the result "shameful" on Wednesday night.

The Social Democrats introduced another motion on Wednesday calling on the Government to withdraw diplomatic status from the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland and push for the imposition of EU-wide economic sanctions on Israel.

An amendment to the Social Democrats' motion, which removed the calls to expel the Israeli Ambassador and impose sanctions, passed by a vote of 85 to 55, while the amended motion ultimately passed, also with a vote of 85 to 55. 

The Social Democrats had the same sentiment as Sinn Féin in the face of defeat.

TD Matt Carthy, who introduced the Sinn Féin motion on Tuesday, said on Wednesday night that the result was "gutting" and "shameful."

He added: "Regardless of this vote, the Irish people stand with Palestine & International Law!"

TD Holly Cairns, who introduced the Social Democrats' motion on Wednesday, accused the Irish government of choosing not to act.

Read more

As the Dáil was considering the two motions, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside of Leinster House calling for a ceasefire.