Speaking at Stormont on Tuesday, the Economy Minister said that her statement was “about ensuring there is no enabling of the genocide against the people of Gaza.”
The Executive have voted to support the statement issued by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald in which she said that the Northern Ireland Executive would not participate in trade negotiations with Israel.
Last week, Speaker Edwin Poots wrote to MLAs to inform them that he had referred the matter back to the Executive after he received a petition signed by 31 MLAs who expressed concern that the decision may have been taken in contravention of the 1998 Act and that it was a matter of public importance.
It is understood that Alliance supported the Sinn Féin Minister around the Executive table with the DUP and UUP against the decision.
Speaking at Stormont on Tuesday, the Economy Minister said that her statement was “about ensuring there is no enabling of the genocide against the people of Gaza.”
“As Economy Minister, I am determined to do everything in my power to defend human rights, uphold international law, and support the defenceless people of Gaza and Palestine who are suffering the horrors of genocide and forced starvation,” she said.
“That no minister and no administration should be enabling genocide, and I don’t think that’s something that should have to come to the Executive, and that was the view of the majority in the Executive this morning.
“I think what we all should be doing is getting on with our jobs, getting on with delivery. We have many important priorities that we have set ourselves as an Executive, and I think that’s what all parties around the executive table should be focused on, and that, as I said, was the view of the majority around the Executive table this morning.”
An Alliance Party spokesperson has said: “This type of performative procedural wrangling is a waste of the Executive’s time and does nothing to address the day-to-day challenges facing ordinary families across Northern Ireland.
“Alliance is focused on positive change for all of our communities, and we hope any and all manufactured culture wars can now be put to bed so we can get on with the job of delivery.”
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