A DUP MLA has hit out at pro-Palestinian protesters who entered Stormont as police confirmed they removed a number of people from the building.
The incident is understood to have happened earlier today.
During the Assembly session, north Belfast politician Philip Brett criticised those involved, accusing them of being “anti-Israeli” and claiming Stormont should “not be used or abused by those to express anti-Israeli views”.
Speaking in the chamber, the DUP politician said: “Could I just take this opportunity to pay tribute to our security team and members of the PSNI who have just been forced to removed anti-Israeli protesters from the Great Hall.
“People in this place are entitled to express their views in a democracy. They are not entitled to access parts of this building where staff are trying to work and interrupt their day.
“I am very proud to represent north Belfast, the home of the synagogue and Jewish community in Northern Ireland. This place will not be used or abused by those to express anti-Israeli views.”
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In a statement, a PSNI spokesperson said: “A number of protestors who had entered Parliament Buildings were removed by security and police under Art 23 (1) Public Order (NI) Order 1987.”
The death toll in the fighting in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000, according to local health officials last week.
The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the deaths are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed more than 17,000 from Hamas, without providing evidence.
The war began when Hamas-led terrorists stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Most of the rest were released during a ceasefire last year.
The Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused heavy destruction across wide areas of the coastal territory, leading many to wonder when or how it will ever be rebuilt. Around 90% of the population of 2.3 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, and hundreds of thousands are living in squalid tent camps with little food, water or basic services.