LONDON
The Israeli flag flying high in Dublin is an insult to Palestinians and all those in pursuit of justice, Irish politician Hugh Lewis said Monday.
Hugh Lewis, a member of the People Before Profit political party and a Dublin councilor, pulled down an Israeli national flag from Dun Laoghaire Harbor on Saturday during an international children's sailing event for under-16 age in Dublin after the Harbor Company refused to remove the flag.
"I have received dozens of calls from constituents who are disgusted that the Israeli state flag is flying at a time of so much brutality and violence and while war crimes are being perpetrated by that state on the Palestinian people," Lewis told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview.
"It is completely unacceptable and inappropriate that after hundreds of people have been in contact, demanding that the flag be taken down out of solidarity and respect, it flies high in our town," he said.
Since July 7, Israel has been pounding the besieged Gaza Strip with air and naval bombardments with the stated aim of halting rocket attacks. At least 509 people have lost their lives so far.
"The response of the Irish government and other governments across Europe has thus far been pathetic, the ordinary people across the world are appalled and angered by the actions of Israel," Lewis said.
Israel's military operation, dubbed operation "Protective Edge," is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against Gaza in the last six years.
"It is up to us to use people's power and force a lasting solution in support of the people of Gaza and the broader Palestinian community living under occupation and the millions of Palestinians that have been displaced from their homeland since 1948," Lewis said.
Last week, over 3,000 people marched in Dublin alone in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Over 5,000 participated in pro-Palestine rallies across the country on Saturday.
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