Belfast City Hall to fly Palestine flag after dramatic walk-out row

• Belfast City Council voted to fly the Palestinian flag on November 29 (International Day of Solidarity with the People of Palestine)
• The walk-out and subsequent vote were triggered by the Lord Mayor's refusal to debate a controversial official trip to ‘Israel’ by a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) minister.

A decision to fly the Palestinian flag over Belfast City Hall was secured Monday night following a dramatic walk-out by nationalist and left-wing councillors, which resulted in a procedural victory over unionist opposition.

The motion, proposed by Sinn Féin, passed decisively by a margin of 41 votes to 15. The Palestinian flag is scheduled to be flown from the civic building on November 29, marking the International Day of Solidarity with the People of Palestine.

The vote occurred immediately after the council meeting was paralyzed when councillors from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Green Party, and People Before Profit walked out.

The protest was triggered by DUP Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly's refusal to allow a discussion regarding the recent controversial trip to ‘Israel’ by DUP Education Minister Paul Givan.

Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Doherty stated on social media that the walk-out happened after a member was “prevented” from making a proposal about Palestine.

Sinn Féin defended the action, with a spokesperson stating, “We will always stand up for accountability, due process, and the right to speak on the matters of human rights".

Minister's visit 

The underlying controversy centers on Minister Givan’s recent six-day “fact-finding mission” to ‘Israel’, which included a visit to a school in ‘Israeli’-occupied East Jerusalem. The Minister was also criticized for using Department of Education social media channels to promote the visit.

The visit drew sharp condemnation from opposition parties. Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy said, “Whilst every school in Gaza lies in ruins, the DUP's Education Minister thought it was acceptable to travel to Israel and use departmental resources to promote it. This is an absolute disgrace”.

People Before Profit councillor Michael Collins described Givan’s actions as “deplorable” and characterized the trip as “basically a propaganda trip”.

Following the walk-out, the council meeting resumed, and the non-unionist bloc was able to successfully pass two motions: the flag proposal, and a motion of no confidence in Minister Givan, which passed 40 votes to 15.

In defense of his party colleague, DUP leader Gavin Robinson reiterated his “full support” for Minister Givan and accused the protesters of showing "sympathies to, and support for, the Hamas terrorists".

Despite the DUP’s opposition, the clear majority ensures the Palestinian flag will fly at City Hall later this month.