Palestinian Flag Raising at Belfast City Hall Unlikely

Published: 27 November 2025 Thursday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Plans to fly the Palestinian flag outside Belfast City Hall this weekend now appear unlikely to go ahead, following legal advice highlighting potential procedural issues with the council’s earlier decision. While the motion to raise the flag was approved earlier this month, opposition from unionist representatives and concerns over the decision-making process have cast doubt on whether the event will proceed as scheduled.

The proposal, originally put forward by Sinn Féin councillor Ryan Murphy, was intended to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Solidarity with the People of Palestine. Murphy described the motion as an act of solidarity in light of what he described as the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “In light of the continued genocide against the people of Gaza, it is right that we show solidarity and support to them,” he said at the time.

The council voted to approve the flag-flying proposal by 41 votes to 15, despite strong opposition from unionist parties. Unionist councillors have consistently argued that raising the Palestinian flag at City Hall would embroil the city in a highly contentious international dispute, potentially deepening divisions within Northern Ireland itself. Sarah Bunting, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) at City Hall, said: “Belfast City Hall represents everyone in our city. Flying the Palestinian flag would draw us into a deeply contested international conflict and risk creating further division here at home.”

Following the vote, unionist representatives attempted to challenge the decision through the council’s ‘call-in’ mechanism, which allows motions to be reviewed if concerns are raised about the decision-making process. Legal advice obtained by the council this week reportedly identified issues with the process, suggesting that not enough consideration had been given before the vote was taken. Although the advice highlighted procedural faults, it did not conclude that the council had failed to meet its obligations regarding community impact.

In practice, this means that while the council technically approved the motion, there remain questions over whether the necessary deliberation and review occurred before the vote. One option available to the council would be for the Lord Mayor, Tracy Kelly of the DUP, to call another meeting before Saturday to reconsider the motion. However, as of now, there are no indications that such a meeting will be convened, leaving the flag-raising event in limbo.

A spokesperson for Belfast City Council said: “As this process is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.” The council is set to meet next on Monday, December 1, when the issue is expected to be discussed again. The timing of this session means that the planned flag-raising over the weekend may be postponed indefinitely.

Tensions around the flag issue are part of a broader history of debates over symbols in Northern Ireland, where national identity and international politics often intersect with local governance. The proposed display of the Palestinian flag has sparked discussion not only about international solidarity but also about how Belfast City Hall should represent its diverse population. For many unionists, the city hall is a civic space that must remain neutral and inclusive, whereas supporters of the motion view symbolic gestures as an important form of moral and political expression.

The vote itself reflected the current political balance within the council. Sinn Féin, with 22 representatives, is the largest party at City Hall and has consistently used its influence to promote international solidarity initiatives. At the previous full council meeting, Sinn Féin and several allied parties staged a walkout in protest over a separate dispute with the Lord Mayor, although they later returned to their seats. This incident underlined the often complex dynamics between parties within the council chamber, where procedural disagreements can delay decisions and affect the implementation of motions.

Opposition from unionist councillors has been unwavering. They argue that the decision to raise the Palestinian flag could have wider implications for local community relations. Sarah Bunting emphasised that City Hall should represent everyone in Belfast, including both unionist and nationalist communities, without aligning itself with a highly divisive international issue. “Our concern is that flying this flag would introduce conflict where we should be fostering unity and civic representation,” she said.

Legal advisors to the council reportedly identified specific areas where the decision-making process fell short, though details remain limited. Sources suggest the concerns were procedural, focusing on the depth of deliberation and whether sufficient consideration was given to all viewpoints before the vote. The advice did not, however, recommend reversing the decision outright, indicating that the council may have the option to reconvene, debate further, and ultimately confirm the motion if it chooses.

While no final decision has been made, the issue has generated significant public and media attention. Supporters of the flag-raising argue that symbolic gestures such as this are vital to draw attention to international crises and provide solidarity to oppressed populations. Ryan Murphy, the councillor behind the motion, has highlighted the humanitarian aspect, stressing the need for the city to take a stand in support of the Palestinian people. He contended that City Hall has a responsibility to act in alignment with international human rights standards and to show compassion in times of crisis.

The situation underscores the delicate balance that local authorities in Northern Ireland must maintain when addressing international political issues. Decisions made within civic spaces like City Hall are often scrutinised for both their domestic and international implications. Raising the Palestinian flag is not merely a local gesture; it is interpreted by some as a political statement on global issues, and by others as a potential source of domestic division.

Looking ahead, the council’s December 1 meeting is expected to revisit the issue. Observers note that any decision made at that session could either confirm the flag-raising, propose additional safeguards, or delay the event further. As matters stand, it appears increasingly unlikely that the Palestinian flag will fly over Belfast City Hall this weekend.

In summary, while the initial vote in favour of raising the Palestinian flag reflected support for international solidarity among certain councillors, procedural concerns and strong unionist opposition have placed the plan in doubt. The council’s legal advice and the potential need for further deliberation have created uncertainty, and the upcoming December 1 session may be pivotal in determining whether the flag-raising proceeds. For now, the planned display appears to be on hold, illustrating the complex interplay of local governance, international politics, and community sensitivities in Northern Ireland.