Protesters assemble at High Court in response to council's choice to raise Palestine flag

A crowd gathered outside the High Court as legal proceedings examined the methods used by Belfast City Council to approve the display of the Palestinian flag over City Hall. Authorities arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of disorderly conduct, and he remains in custody.

The motion, proposed by Sinn Fin, passed narrowly with a 32 to 28 vote on Monday and the flag was raised shortly after midnight on Tuesday morning.

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) has questioned the legality of the councils decision. A barrister representing those opposing the flag emphasized, This case concerns the legality of the councils procedure, not the flag itself. The process followed was legally flawed and cannot stand under the law.

Counsel for Belfast City Council acknowledged that parts of the local government act posed challenges and that clarity was required, but argued that this should not halt local governance.

Last month, the council voted overwhelmingly to fly the flag, sparking unionist opposition. Unionists then used the call-in procedure at City Hall to contest the decisions legitimacy. Legal guidance, published on the councils website, stated that the decision was made without proper consideration of relevant facts and issues.

TUV councillor Ron McDowell criticized the councils actions as an attempt to outrun the law, noting that the councils equity report claimed no negative impact on community relations. He highlighted that the situation in Palestine and Israel remains deeply sensitive and that the decision has prompted public protests.

McDowell described Mondays vote as undemocratic. The 60-member council had revisited the matter at a special session prior to its regular monthly meeting, resulting in a much closer vote than the original motion.

The Alliance Party, which supported the original proposal, recommended instead illuminating City Hall in Palestinian colors for the New Year. While they opposed flying the flag, it received backing from Sinn Fin, the SDLP, and the Green Party.

Protesters were present outside City Hall on Monday evening. The Belfast County Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland expressed that they were frustrated and utterly dismayed at the councils decision. They called raising the flag before the High Court ruling incredibly alarming, claiming it demonstrated that Republican and Pan-Nationalist members of the council were fostering division and disregarding legal processes. The lodge also stated that the council remains unwelcoming to Protestants and Unionists.

Author: Lucas Grant