LAST UPDATE | 13 Jan
WHAT HAS BEEN billed as Ireland’s “biggest ever” demonstration in support of Palestine took place in Dublin today, as protesters and members of over 70 groups marched across the city.
Crowds gathered at the Garden of Remembrance at Parnell Square and made their way to the Department of Foreign Affairs at St Stephen’s Green.
Protesters waved Palestinian flags and held placards critical of the Irish, US and Israeli governments.
Demonstrators accused Israel of committing genocide as they chanted “free, free Palestine” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.
Participants variously called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Ireland, and for the Irish government to support South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging that Israel is committing genocide.
The demonstration took place as part of a global day of action calling for an end to Israel’s campaign in Gaza, which has taken over 20,000 lives to date, according to the health ministry in the region.
It also comes against the backdrop of South Africa having presented its case in the Hague accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, which Israel has roundly denied before the International Court of Justice.
Speakers at today’s rally included Senator Frances Black, Palestinian scholar Rania Muhareb, social justice activist Bernadette Devlin-McAliskey, retired boxer Tyrone McKenna, the president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Justin McCamphill, Palestinian activist Walaa Ajjawi, and Irish and Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) chairperson Zoe Lawlor.
The crowd is building for Dublin's Palestine solidarity rally, which is part of a day of global action calling for an end to Israel's campaign in Gaza. #Gaza #Dublin. pic.twitter.com/K5tstW3V5V
— Eimer McAuley (@eimer_mcauley) January 13, 2024
The IPSC who have held a number of demonstrations calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, organised today’s rally.
Conflict intensified in the region following Hamas’ attacks on Israel on 7 October, which claimed the lives of at least 1,200 people according to the countries’ authorities, and Israel declared war on the militant group in response. Since then there has been a huge toll on civilians in Gaza, both in terms of deaths and the conditions people are living in, as the region has been declared uninhabitable by the UN.
IPSC Vice Chair Fatin Al Tamimi, who is based in Ireland but has family members who remain trapped in Gaza, said that the “live-streamed genocide” in Gaza is “horrendous beyond imagination”, and yet “the Irish Government won’t act to punish Israel”.
Al Tamimi hit out at the Government’s decision not to join South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel.
“The people of Ireland, not least Palestinian-Irish citizens like myself, demand so much better,” Al Tamimi added.
Other demonstrations
In Cork, over 1,000 demonstrators also gathered in support of Palestine. The protest there began at 1pm with demonstrators meeting at Grand Parade Cork.
Likewise, people took to the street in Derry.
SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, wrote on X, formerly Twitter:
“The people of Derry are sending their support to Gaza today. Ceasefire now! The Irish, British and US governments must act on behalf of the people and bring Israel’s war crimes to an immediate end.”
A rally was also being held in London. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald marched alongside Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, as thousands attended.
Addressing the crowd in London, McDonald called for an immediate ceasefire.
Some of the organisations that took part in today’s demonstration include the ICTU, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the Union of Students in Ireland, the Bloody Sunday Trust, the Irish National Teachers Organisation, the Irish Traveller Movement, Unite the Union, the Energy Services Union, the National Women’s Council of Ireland, and many more.
With reporting from Jane Matthews and Press Association.
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