2 December 2025
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Councillor Séamas de Faoite has said councils cannot be held to ransom by those who want to thwart progress.
Councillor de Faoite said:
“The SDLP supported a proposal to fly the Palestinian flag at Belfast City Hall in solidarity with those suffering in Gaza, and the gesture was the will of the elected members of council. It is deeply disappointing that unionist parties and others decided to use this issue to fuel their ongoing culture war approach to politics.
“SDLP councillors want to focus on the issues that matter to people across our city. This was a simple gesture of solidarity that was turned into something else for political purposes. The flag should have flown on Saturday and we could have spent last night dealing with the many other important motions before council.
“It is deeply concerning that certain parties and politicians are allowing themselves to be influenced by bad faith actors and stirring up tensions in local communities. There is a real sense that some are intent on obstructing the work of local councils. I would appeal for leadership and calm and urge councillors to get back to delivering for the people who elected them.”