Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has condemned comments by a Sinn Fein councillor which expressed support for the shelling of Israel, and called on Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams to state clearly what Sinn Fein’s attitude is to the use of violence.
In a radio interview Waterford councillor John Hearne said “I’d prefer if the United Nations started shelling Israel” on the grounds that such an action would bring the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “to heel”.
The Sinn Fein councillor added that this approach would get the Israelis to the table and said that “the English were never coming to the table until Canary Wharf happened.”
Mr Elliott said:
“Serious questions need to be answered on why a Sinn Fein councillor expressed support for the shelling of Israel.
“The reference to the bomb attack on Canary Wharf should not go un-noticed either. Taken together with the call to bomb Israel and this weekend’s planned terrorist commemoration event in Derrylin in County Fermanagh, it is clear that whilst many in Sinn Fein are trying to whitewash the past crimes of the IRA and republicans, in a bid to portray Sinn Fein as a modern political party, there remain many within their ranks who cling to the past and are not averse to the use of or threat of violence to get their way.”
“Sinn Fein is a party whose representatives are renowned for being ‘on message’ so one must therefore assume that in calling for the shelling of Israel, Councillor Hearne is merely articulating Sinn Fein party policy.”