A proposal to fly a Palestinian flag over Dublin City Hall as "an act of solidarity with the people of Gaza" has been rejected by Dublin City councillors.
The emergency motion was put to councillors at Monday evening's monthly meeting.
The motion was brought by Councillor Cieran Perry on behalf of the Independent Group of councillors, with the backing of Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, Labour party and the Green Party.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors either rejected or abstained on the vote.
It was an emergency motion, so support of three quarters of those present would be required for the motion to pass.
Fianna Fáil councillor Deirdre Heney put forward a motion for a peace flag saying she did not believe flying a Palestinian flag would help solve the conflict.
Questions were raised as to what a peace flag was and the motion was adjourned.
The Israeli Ambassador to Ireland wrote to the councillors in advance of the meeting asking them not to fly the Palestinian flag on City Hall.
In the letter, Dana Erlich said: "We know that this conflict touches many people in Ireland but we would respectfully ask you, as the chief executive and Council members of this multicultural capital's city council, to consider the many Israeli citizens of all faiths, the Jewish community here in Ireland and the community supporting Israel that lives, works and contributes in this city, with regard to the symbolism that a Palestinian flag flying on City Hall has."
