Belfast City Council: Security called over Gaza protest

A rally outside Belfast City Hall in support of Palestinians in October

Pro-Palestinian protesters were escorted out of a Belfast City Council subcommittee meeting on Friday.

It happened at Belfast City Hall during a meeting of the council's strategic policy and resources committee.

A number of people in the public gallery unfurled banners and flags, and read out a short speech.

Security staff were called and the group was escorted from the building before the meeting went ahead as planned, the council said.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said it has requested a review of security arrangements at future council meetings.

"There was a short interruption of Friday's committee meeting. The protestors were removed from the room quickly by council staff and there was minimal disruption to the proceedings," a party spokesman said.

"We have been in contact with the chief executive to pass on our thanks to staff for their swift action and to request a review into security arrangements at future council meetings."

Green Party councillor Brian Smyth, a member of the committee, said the protest lasted "literally a minute or two" and involved a "handful of young people".

"They called for a ceasefire, before being ushered out of the room," he said.

"At no point did I feel any threat or at risk. I totally get and am supportive of the calls for a ceasefire amid the horrific scenes that we are witnessing from Gaza and the huge loss of life, particularly children."

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor Carl Whyte said they "fully support" people campaigning for a ceasefire in Gaza.

"The council has and will again debate these issues at the monthly full council meeting, where those interested can request to address the council directly," he added.

"That is the appropriate forum where these and other groups can make their voice heard."

The demonstration comes as police investigate how a meeting of Derry and Strabane District Council on Wednesday was disrupted by a pro-Palestinian protest.

Protesters held up a banner saying: "Expel the Israeli ambassador."

The S letters were written like the symbol of the SS, a Nazi military unit that ran concentration and death camps and killed millions of Jews during the Holocaust.

Some unionists on the council condemned the protest as antisemitic.

People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin described the scenes in the council chamber as a "side issue" and said there was "absolutely nothing antisemitic" about the wording of the banner.

Demonstrations have been held across the UK in recent weeks in response to the Israel-Gaza war.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas - designated as a terrorist group by the UK and many other countries - launched an attack on Israel on October 7 with gunmen infiltrating communities near Gaza.

Israel said some 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 240 people taken hostage.

Since then Israel has bombed Gaza relentlessly, which the Hamas-run health ministry says has killed more than 14,500 people.

Some Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners have been released under a temporary four-day truce deal brokered by Qatar.