Thousands march to protest against Gaza war in Dublin

Thousands of people marched through the streets of Dublin on Saturday, February 17, 202, to express their solidarity with the Palestinians and to demand an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza war. The protesters also called on the Irish government to impose sanctions on Israel for its violations of international law and human rights.

The march was organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), a grassroots organisation that campaigns for justice and peace in Palestine. The parade started at Parnell Square and ended at Merrion Square, where a rally was held with speeches from activists, politicians, and representatives of the Palestinian community in Ireland.

The marchers carried banners and flags with slogans such as “Free Palestine”, “Stop the massacre in Gaza”, and “Boycott Israeli apartheid”. They also chanted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “Hey hey, ho ho, Israeli occupation has got to go”.

The IPSC spokesperson, Fatin Al Tamimi, said the march demonstrated the firm and growing support for the Palestinian cause in Ireland. She said that the people of Ireland were outraged by the “brutal and criminal” actions of Israel in Gaza, where more than 30,000 people have been killed and injured since the war began in December 2023.

She also said that the Irish government had a moral and legal obligation to take action against Israel, such as suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement, banning trade with illegal Israeli settlements, and expelling the Israeli ambassador. She urged the Irish people to join the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to pressure Israel to end its occupation and oppression of the Palestinians.

Civil society groups, trade unions, political parties, and religious organisations supported the march. The speakers at the rally were Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour Party leader Alan Kelly, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett, and Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown.

The march was part of a series of protests that have taken place in Ireland and around the world in response to the Gaza war, which has been described as the worst escalation of violence since the 2014 war. The IPSC said that it would continue to mobilise the Irish public until Israel stops its aggression and respects the rights of the Palestinians.

Sola Adeniji

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