Ireland's James McClean has become the latest prominent figure in Ireland to call for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador in the country.
After the October 7 attacks by Hamas in Israel, Israel responded by cutting the power supply in Gaza and conducting routine airstrikes in the region. This has led to several voices and entities in the Irish political sphere believing Israeli Ambassador Dana Erlich’s position in Dublin untenable.
Irish political parties like Sinn Féin, which had previously abstained in several votes at the local council level on calls for Ambassador Erlich to be expelled, shifted their position on Thursday. They insisted it was no longer tenable for the ambassador to remain in Ireland.
Sinn Féin's statement emphasised the need for the international community and the Irish government to take action to enforce international law, including diplomatic, legislative, and political measures, to press for an end to military actions, achieve ceasefires, release hostages, and provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
"The Irish government must use all diplomatic and political options to achieve ceasefire,"Sinn Féin said in their initial statement.
It goes without saying but James McClean is a legend
🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/ebXkkp71K4
— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) November 3, 2023
"The violence and humanitarian crisis in Palestine deepens by the day. The Taoiseach has correctly said that the Israeli destruction of Gaza is not self-defence. I share his view that Israeli actions are offensive and constitute collective punishment.
"The Dáil became one of the first parliaments in the world to call for a ceasefire. It was an important international signal that has since been followed by an overwhelming vote at the UN General Council demanding such a ceasefire. Israel defies these calls for ceasefire. This can not stand.
"The International Community and the Irish government must now take action to enforce international law. All available diplomatic, legislative and political options must be deployed by the Irish government to press the case for an end to all military actions and to achieve ceasefires, the immediate release of all hostages and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
"The position of the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland is now untenable. The Ambassador should no longer enjoy diplomatic status in Ireland while Israel refuses the imperative for ceasefires and as the suffering and death toll grow."
James McClean, the Irish footballer, supported Sinn Féin's sentiment and expressed his agreement in a deleted Instagram post, saying, "Kick him out!... in fact, absolutely volley the p***k out!"
McClean has been vocal about political matters in the past, such as his decision not to wear a poppy during Remembrance Day ceremonies in the UK and his public criticism of the British monarchy during King Charles' coronation in May.
