McShane 'disappointed' as Gaza motion falls

The councillor said the recent incidents onboard an aid flotilla on its way to Gaza in which several people died were a "war crime".

Cllr McShane's call was backed by three Sinn Fein councillors but SDLP abstained which meant six councillors including Unionist representatives were able to block the McShane motion.

Cllr McShane also wanted a letter to be written to the UK government asking them to stop arms dealing with Israel and he said he wanted to send out a "humanitarian message" from Ballycastle, saying: "It is time that Moyle Council spoke out against this."

But after the meeting, in a statement to the Times, Cllr McShane said: "It is deeply disappointing that this Council refused to permit the people of Moyle a voice on the humanitarian crises unfolding in Gaza.

"No one expects Moyle District Council to hold the Israeli Government to account for their crimes, but the people of Moyle had an opportunity to add their voices to a large cacophony of sound now reverberating throughout this island and the world, rejecting the Israeli imposed blockade on Gaza.

"Congratulations must go to those onboard the International Aid Flotilla who risked their lives to continue to bring the humanitarian crises to the world's attention.

"Like those who opposed the apartheid regime in South Africa, these human rights activists will be labelled thugs, radicals, subversive's or even terrorists before they are recognised for doing right. In the Eighties Thatcher labelled Nelson Mandela a terrorist before shuffling in to hear him address the House of Commons in 1996.

"I did request that Councillors look at this from a humanitarian perspective, allowing everyone to support the motions. Rather than doing what would have been deemed ethical for the people of Gaza, they choose to make excuses too ignore their plight. I can only relate that I am bewildered at their decision."

During the debate in the Council chamber Sinn Fein councillor Cathal Newcombe said it was time the people of Moyle stood up and let their views be known on the issue.

Independent councillor Seamus Blaney said whilst he agreed in principle in hitting out at the actions of the Israelis he said he disagreed with contacting the Dublin Government as they had allowed American planes to land in Ireland on the way to and from Afghanistan and he wondered how the British Government could be contacted given their involvement in overseas wars.

DUP councillor Robert McIlroy said the comments from Cllr McShane were unbalanced and said whilst everyone wants to see an end to awful events in the Middle East he said Israel also has a point of view and he said there had been no mention of tunnels being used in Gaza to bring in weapons to be used against Israel.

He said there are two sides to every story and DUP councillor David McAllister agreed and also added that he felt the situation in the Middle East was "absolutely nothing to do with us".

SDLP councillor Orla Black said whilst she agreed it is a crisis she said her party wished to abstain from voting.