Sinn Féin has condemned a graffiti attack on its Dungiven office in County Londonderry, which accused the party of being pro-Israel. The graffiti, painted on the windows of the office used by MLA Caoimhe Archibald, included the slogans 'Zionist lackey' and 'Free Gaza'. The image was shared on social media on Thursday but later removed.
The attack comes amid criticism of Sinn Féin for abstaining on council motions calling for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Ireland. The party did not support motions in Belfast, Derry City, and Strabane district councils.
A Sinn Féin spokesperson described the graffiti as 'despicable' and designed to create division at a time when unity is needed in support of the people of Gaza. The spokesperson called for ceasefires, dialogue, and a negotiation process to achieve a just and lasting peace based on a viable Palestinian state.
The Israeli military stated that more than 1,400 people were killed by Hamas on 7 October, including over 1,033 civilians. In contrast, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported over 9,000 deaths from Israeli attacks since that date, two-thirds of them women and children.
