Galway West candidates weigh in on Dr Margaret Connolly detention and Irish neutrality ahead of poll

A release from Israeli detention for Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of President Catherine Connolly, occurs days before voters elect a new TD for Galway West. By-election candidates largely express solidarity with Dr Connolly and support for Palestine, while renewing calls for progress on the Occupied Territories Bill. An aid flotilla carrying six Irish citizens sailed from Turkey toward Gaza, and Dr Connolly was among those on board. Candidates were asked whether the flotilla incident would affect their priorities. Galway City Mayor Mike Cubbard said he remains committed to passing the Occupied Territories Bill, criticizing government inaction and describing events as barbaric. Social Democrats candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich called the detention an abduction and emphasized accountability for violations of international law and genocide campaigns in Gaza and the West Bank.

"I've been very clear in my role as a councillor in terms of getting the Occupied Territories Bill passed. I think the government has been sitting on their hands, and we can't shy away from what's happening in the world. I think what's happening is barbaric,"

"He said those travelling on the flotilla were "standing up for human rights and people's livelihoods"."

"It is doubly shocking that it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, that Israel is allowed to act with total impunity, particularly when it comes to not just these violations of international law, but also how it has conducted the campaign of genocide in Gaza, and in the West Bank, in total violation of the words of the international courts."

Read at Irish Independent