Alliance under fire from DUP over contrast between Israel and Palestine solidarity displays at Belfast City Hall
The DUP has described as “shameful” the different approaches taken by Alliance to displays of Middle East solidarity at Belfast City Hall.
North Belfast MLA Brian Kingston was reacting to the fact that the flag of Palestine is due to fly from Belfast City Hall on November 29, marking the UN’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – something made possible partly thanks to Alliance support.
The motion at Monday’s meeting of the full Belfast City Council was brought by Sinn Fein and passed by 41 votes to 15, with only the DUP and UUP voting against (the TUV’s sole councillor had already walked out in protest).
The council’s nationalist bloc (SDLP and Sinn Fein) is 28 strong, with Alliance having 12 councillors, the Greens having three, and People Before Profit one, with 17 unionists.
In October 2023, a motion had been brought before the council to have the City Hall lit up in Israeli colours to show solidarity with the nation in the wake of the October 7 massacre by Hamas.
Alliance had instead said that the hall should be lit up white for peace, and backed a Sinn Fein motion to that effect.
At around the same time it had also opted for a similar white-only display instead of Israeli colours at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Now DUP MLA Mr Kingston has said of the Palestine flag decision: “Alliance’s decision to roll in behind Sinn Fein and hoist the Palestinian flag says all you need to know about where they now stand politically.
"In 2023, they actively opposed showing solidarity with the victims of Hamas terrorism following October 7th.
"There is clearly no neutrality in Alliance now – it is shameful.
“The question must be asked of those who vote Alliance: is this pro-Palestine stance truly what they endorse?
"For too long, Alliance have purported themselves as a middle-of-the-road party, but increasingly that mirage is being stripped away for all to see.”
The Alliance Party in turn told the News Letter: “It is appropriate that the UN Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is recognised, to show compassion and empathy for the humanitarian situation in Gaza and across the region.
"Any suggestion that Alliance did not condemn the actions of Hamas on October 7 is a lie: we have always held that it is possible to both condemn the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7 and the genocide being perpetrated by the Israeli government in Gaza.
"Both are abhorrent to the vast majority of people.
“Alliance believes that lighting civic buildings is the most appropriate, inclusive and unifying way to achieve this.
"Such an approach is consistent with how councils have marked other international causes in the past, including expressing solidarity with the victims of the October 7th terrorist attacks.
“In this case, there were concerns about the feasibility of this option given the Christmas lighting scheme, and so a proposal was taken, without debate, that the Palestinian flag be flown instead.
“However, Alliance will continue to engage with council officers and other parties to work through any technical challenges and consider the equality screening, to ensure International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is marked in a consistent, appropriate and sensitive manner.”
November 29 is a Saturday, and a march and demonstration by Palestine solidarity supporters is planned for that day in the city centre, beginning at Donegall Street at 1.15pm and culminating at City Hall.
On the same day, a loyalist march is to go from Sandy Row at 12.30pm, culminating at City Hall at 1.10pm.
Controversially for unionists, the flying of the Union flag has been restricted to 18 days per year at City Hall ever since 2012.