An emergency proposal was rejected by Dublin City Council to fly a Palestinian flag over Dublin City Hall as "an act of solidarity with the people of Gaza" on Monday evening (November 6).

On behalf of the Independent Group of councillors, the motion was brought by Councillor Cieran Perry with the backing of Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, the Labour Party and the Green Party.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors either rejected or abstained on the vote.

Support from three-quarters of those present would have been required for the motion to pass.

Fianna Fáil councillor Deirdre Heney did not believe flying a Palestinian flag would help solve the conflict and put forward a motion to fly a peace flag instead.

After questions were raised as to what a peace flag was, the motion was adjourned.

In a letter from the Israeli Ambassador, Dana Erlich – she requested they refrain from flying the Palestinian flag over City Hall.

"We know that this conflict touches many people in Ireland but we would respectfully ask you, as the chief executive and Council members of this multicultural capital's city council, to consider the many Israeli citizens of all faiths, the Jewish community here in Ireland and the community supporting Israel that lives, works and contributes in this city, with regard to the symbolism that a Palestinian flag flying on City Hall has."