Despite a split amongst Fermanagh and Omagh District Council councillors, a proposal to support a neighbouring council’s Motion on refugee rights for those fleeing Gaza has passed comfortably.

Correspondence from Derry and Strabane District Council in relation to a Motion calling for the British and Irish Government to take immediate action around the situation in Gaza, ensuring Palestinians have the same refugee rights as in all conflicts, and facilitating settlement in Ireland, saw Sinn Féin Councillor Dermott Browne “very in favour of the sentiment”.

Pointing to a number of conflicts in the world, at present, he said: “A lot of populations are being displaced and it’s not lost on people that there is a difference in treatment, not least between the conflict in Gaza and the conflict in Ukraine.

“Palestinians that have managed to escape Gaza do not have the same protective status as other refugees, such as Ukrainians.

“There should be an equality of treatment for people fleeing war, and the European Union should immediately pass every protection directed for Palestinian refugees.”

He further claimed: “However, given the British government are actively supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza, I would not expect them to treat Palestinian refugees with any dignity whatsoever.

“It’s abundantly clear the British government do not view Palestinians as human beings at all.”

Councillor Browne proposed writing back to Derry City and Strabane District Council outlining “our full support of their Motion”.

Seconding,  party colleague, Councillor John Feely, drew attention to the Motion’s support of the resolution enshrining Palestinians’ right of return: “Because there are people who making a stand that they are going to die in Gaza … they know from previous experience if they leave, they are never going to get back to their homeland.

“With that in mind, they should be allowed to come here and settle absolutely, but also we know some are choosing not to, because they know the world has turned their backs on them time and time again.”

However, Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Irvine said: “I can’t align myself with some of Councillor Browne’s comments, particularly his description about the UK government’s treatment or assessment of people in Gaza.

“There are two sides to every conflict, and what happened to the Israeli citizens – men, women and children – who were slaughtered by Hamas, has been over overshadowed by their reaction to the inhabitants in Gaza as they proceed with a military campaign to sort out the Hamas terrorist murderers.

“That’s what they are, and we have to realise that with a dispassionate, objective view, going forward.”

This was supported by Councillor Errol Thompson, Democratic Unionist, who added: “We can discuss this back and forward, but there are issues which really started this in recent times, and it was Hamas.”

Sinn Féin Councillor Stephen McCann said: “It’s not conflict when people are displaced from their homes with nowhere to go, being relentlessly bombed and shot at.

“Murdered while retrieving food. That’s not conflict – that’s ethnic cleansing and genocide, pure and simple,” he claimed.

Councillor Josephine Deehan, Independent, welcomed the sentiment of the Motion, telling councillors: “Yes, there are two sides to every story of who is the aggressor, but certainly the situation in Gaza at the moment is totally unacceptable, including the number of people who have been killed, injured and displaced.”

SDLP Councillor Adam Gannon said: “Anyone who has done their research understands there are two deeply conflicting positions, and two historical narratives; both have validity.

“I’m frankly disgusted by, ‘They started it’. This is a long, complex issue, and it’s an absolutely ridiculous argument of tit-for-tat.

“Yes, both sides have committed terrible atrocities. That’s evident, but just because one group did one wrong, that doesn’t mean that another group has a right to commit another wrong.

“Nor does it mean innocent civilians and refugees should be mistreated.

“We tend to impose our own history [on our views] and we need some councillors to have a touch more maturity in recognising this isn’t just a one-off.

“Two wrongs don’t make a right. An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind … There is a need for everyone to support refugees, wherever they are from, and in this case they [Palestinians] are in terrible conditions.

“They also need to be supported afterwards in going home. They cannot be left cast out, with no right to go home.”

Final speaker. Councillor Patrick Withers, Sinn Féin, said, “There are indeed two sides to this conflict, the oppressed and the oppressor, and in this case the oppressor is Israel.”

The proposal went to a vote, which passed 23 – 12.