Netanyahu, Israeli Cabinet and ambassadors banned from Cork

Cork City Council voted to ban all members of the Israeli government, including Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as its ambassador from Cork City, in light of the war crimes committed by the state.

The motion follows an update from the Attorney General to the three coalition leaders which concerns issues surrounding the Occupied Territories Bill.

Following a July decision by the International Court of Justice to label Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories illegal, Taoiseach Simon Harris recently ordered a review on trade with Israel.

Yesterday’s Cork City Council motion aims to “ban any future entry to Cork City by the Prime Minister of Israel, the President of Israel or any member of the Israeli Government including it's ambassadors for as long as illegal occupation of Palestine and bordering countries continues and war crimes are being perpetrated by the Israeli State”.

Labour Councillor Peter Horgan previously submitted a motion stating that the council condemns Israel's attacks and incursions on Lebanon and that it seeks to ban any entry to Cork City by the Israeli Government "for as long as illegal occupation of Palestine and bordering countries continues."

Councillor Horgan told The Journal that he hopes the move will inspire other cities in Ireland and abroad to adopt the same policy with the aim of sending a message to Israel and its allies.

He also acknowledged that while Netanyahu might not see or hear the motion, he still feels it’s necessary for the Council to continue to voice its condemnation of Israel’s actions.

Israel has occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza since 1967. Since then, about 700,000 Israeli settlers have lived in around 150 settlements that have been built in the occupied West Bank – they are considered illegal under international law, and were declared as such by the International Court of Justice in July.