Ceann Comhairle refuses request from Israeli ambassador to allow screening of Hamas attack in Leinster House

Ambassador Dana Erlich revealed her request had been declined at a non-public assembly with a small group of Fianna Fáil and Advantageous Gael politicians in Dublin’s Shelbourne Resort on Wednesday.

Mr Erlich mentioned she had requested Mr Ó Fearghaíl to facilitate the screening of a 43-minute movie compiled by the Israeli authorities which reveals graphic footage of the assaults final month that left greater than 1,400 lifeless.

Footage within the movie, which has been proven by Israeli embassies worldwide to journalists and different events, was captured by GoPro cameras and cellphones of Hamas fighters in addition to CCTV and movies taken by first responders and victims.

A spokesperson Mr Ó Fearghaíl mentioned he declined the request as a result of graphic nature of the video and the idea that it will be inappropriate.

It’s understood the Dáil chair’s view is that it will not be acceptable to sponsor such a viewing – however as an alternative extra acceptable to organise a briefing by the Irish-Israeli Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Ms Erlich met with this group in a non-public eating room behind the Saddle Room restaurant within the Shelbourne Resort at lunchtime on Wednesday.

The assembly was shrouded in secrecy with attendees, all from the 2 predominant Coalition events, reluctant to speak publicly about it afterwards and the Israeli embassy declining to substantiate it came about.

A number of politicians who attended mentioned there was tight safety and that they have been requested to indicate ID or show they have been who they mentioned they have been.

One attendee mentioned they confirmed their X social media profile as a way of proving their id.

“They have been like fellas you’d see within the CIA, black fits and ear items,” mentioned a second attendee.

The assembly with Ms Erlich and her deputy Adi Ophir Moaz, who accused Eire of funding Hamas tunnels in Gaza in a now-deleted submit on X final month, was organised by Fianna Fáil Senator Aidan Davitt on behalf of the Oireachtas.

He was appointed chair of the friendship group, which has barely met because it was shaped a number of years, by Mr Ó Fearghaíl after the earlier chair, Advantageous Gael’s Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, was appointed a Minister of State final 12 months.

Among the many attendees within the Shelbourne have been Fianna Fáil senators Catherine Ardagh, Lorraine Clifford-Lee, Diarmuid Wilson, Erin McGreehan, Gerry Horkan, Ned O’Sullivan, and Lisa Chambers whereas attendees from Advantageous Gael included backbench TD John Paul Phelan and senators Maria Byrne and Martin Conway.

It came about on the identical day the Fianna Fáil parliamentary celebration met with the Palestinian ambassador to Eire Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid again in Leinster Home.

Ms Erlich was mentioned by these current to be largely in listening mode, however in her contribution mentioned the Israeli and Jewish group in Eire are feeling susceptible within the context of Eire’s criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

This comes within the wake of the Irish authorities’s criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which has killed greater than 10,500 individuals.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar final week mentioned Israel’s actions have been “one thing extra approaching revenge” for the October 7 assaults.

“She was there in search of recommendation and on how parliamentarians assume she may finest put throughout the views of Israeli individuals,” mentioned one attendee.

“She needed to see the way to rectify the notion in Eire of Palestine good, Israel unhealthy.”

Fianna Fáil senator Diarmuid Wilson advised Ms Erlich that politicians weren’t anti-Israeli, however pro-democracy and human rights.

Considerations have been additionally expressed by Ms Clifford-Lee concerning the plight of 40 Irish passport holders who’re at the moment unable to get out of Gaza.

Talking after the assembly Mr O’Sullivan mentioned he was involved about a rise in anti-Semitism in Eire.

“My private view is that the demonstrations which might be going forward, ostensibly pro-Palestine, are closely marked by all of the traits of basic anti-Semitism. I feel the query of anti-Semitism needs to be addressed in Eire,” he mentioned.

The state of affairs of Israeli-Irish hostage Emily Hand, an eight-year-old lady who had been feared lifeless however is now considered held by Hamas, was additionally raised on the assembly with sources saying that along with her ninth birthday subsequent week there are tentative plans to mark this event not directly.

One proposal prompt by an attendee is {that a} member of her household would converse immediately both in particular person or by way of video hyperlink to Irish politicians urging them to push for her launch.

One other proposal prompt by one attendee afterwards was {that a} vigil for the younger lady be held exterior Leinster Home.

An Israeli embassy spokesperson mentioned: “Since arriving in Eire just lately, Ambassador Erlich has been finishing up a variety of diplomatic duties, which incorporates assembly with TD’s, Senators.

“For the reason that barbaric Hamas assaults and abduction of civilians from Israel into Gaza on October seventh the Ambassador has been and continues to be very lively in furthering such engagement and representing Israel in all acceptable boards.

“Ambassador Erlich is all the time open to assembly with members of the Oireachtas and plans to proceed to take action.”