Graffiti attack on Kildare minister’s office
Pro-Palestinian graffiti was sprayed on the front window of minister James Lawless's constituency office in Naas last week
PRO-Palestinian graffiti was plastered on minister James Lawless’s constituency office in Naas, despite him bringing a bill to cabinet to police Israeli overflights, agreeing with the recognition of Palestine, and pushing to join South Africa in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case against Israel.
“There was graffiti on my office over the weekend,” he confirmed in a phone call. "It got on the window, the sill and the pavement, and yes, I think it was to mimic blood.
“I have it cleaned up already, although it needed a professional cleaner from Naas to do it.
“It is a little bit disturbing, because this is a public office where we advise constituents.
"I find it a bit strange because Ireland is one of the strongest supporters of Palestine in the UN and the EU – it’s just us and Spain that have formally recognised Palestine.
“We also have plans to join in with South Africa in the ICC case [against Israel].
“My current portfolio [higher education] doesn’t have as much to do with the issue, but previously in the Department of Transport myself and Eamon Ryan brought a memo to cabinet to see how we could police Israeli overflights. We brought it as far as we could, and few have done as much for the cause as I have.
“In a way this is paradoxical, because we’re doing more than most countries so the protests are not really logical. We’re practically on the same page as the protesters, and we are equally repulsed by what we’ve seen, and we’ve done as much diplomatically as we can. We have been stronger than most.
“The is in danger of getting too totemic, because two-state is still the solution and Ireland fully supports that.
“The protesters might not see the wood for the trees, but my goal would be the two-state solution.
“The needs significant amendments, and because it is such a focal point for countries like Israel and the USA, and other European countries, it could easily be taken to court, so it makes perfect sense to do it right.
“Some people want it done yesterday, which might be symbolic, but it won’t stop the killings.
“And stopping the killings is far more important than stopping trade,” the minister concluded.
