By M10News Political Desk
DUBLIN, IRELAND — July 19, 2025
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Dublin on Saturday in a major pro-Palestinian march, while across the UK, dozens were arrested during coordinated protests in support of the now-banned group, Palestine Action.
The Dublin protest, which marked the 16th such rally since October 2023, started at the Garden of Remembrance and concluded at Leinster House.
The event followed the Dáil’s summer recess and was organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), which accused the Irish Government of ignoring Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In a strongly worded statement, the IPSC alleged the government has shown an “absolute refusal to hold Israel accountable for a genocide,” citing the killing of more than 58,000 Palestinians by what it described as the “Apartheid state.”
Protesters demanded that the Central Bank of Ireland stop authorising the sale of Israel Bonds within the EU and called for progress on the Occupied Territories Bill.
The rally also called on the Government to stop allowing Irish airspace to be used for transporting military equipment to the region.
Marah Nijim, a 23-year-old Gaza native who relocated to Ireland three months ago, delivered an emotional address about her displacement and the trauma she continues to carry.
She described losing her home, family, and what she called her “soul” and “heart” in Gaza, and said her community is being denied basic human rights.
“I’m living with nightmares of people burning alive and calling for help,” she said, urging Irish leaders to take real action rather than offer symbolic gestures.
She warned that protest alone is no longer enough as “people in Gaza are being starved to death.”
The protest reiterated calls for Ireland to prohibit the use of its airspace for transporting arms to the Middle East.
Anger was also expressed over the Government’s recent decision to deny entry visas to 33 Palestinian children due to travel to Ireland.
GAA Palestine, the group behind the planned tour, said it had been forced to make the “heartbreaking” decision to cancel the visit due to the visa denials.
IPSC chairperson Zoe Lawlor criticised the Government for what she described as inaction in the face of mass suffering in Gaza.
She added: “On top of this we have the appalling spectacle of the state refusing visas to child medical evacuees and Palestinian kids to visit Ireland to play our national sports.”
A 120-foot long, 5.5-foot wide quilt was laid out on Molesworth Street as part of the demonstration, symbolising the children killed in Gaza.
The installation consisted of 2,300 hand-knitted panels, each representing ten children who have lost their lives.
Anna Doyle and Niamh Bonner of Craftivism For Gaza said contributions to the quilt are still being accepted as casualties continue to mount.
Doyle told the PA news agency that the squares serve both as tributes and as protest art. “Each square represents 10 children. Their voices have been lost to the world forever,” she said.
She added that the patches also represent the silent protests of people who could not attend the rally in person.
Meanwhile, across the UK, protests organised under the “Defend Our Juries” campaign were staged in cities including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Truro.
In London’s Parliament Square, demonstrators held signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” before being confronted by police.
Metropolitan Police officers seized placards and conducted bag searches. Several protesters were led away in handcuffs, while others were physically carried from the scene.
The Met confirmed 55 arrests in Parliament Square under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for showing support for Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation.
Elsewhere in Cornwall, police detained eight people following a peaceful gathering outside Truro Cathedral in support of Palestine Action.
Devon and Cornwall Police reported that around 30 people participated in the demonstration and confirmed that two men and six women were arrested.
The arrested individuals remain in custody on suspicion of violating the Terrorism Act, according to police.
One woman arrested in Parliament Square accused the government of criminalising dissent. “Our government is not only arming a genocide, they are using terrorism laws to silence people who speak out,” she said.
She argued that Palestine Action’s goal is to shut down weapons production, not promote violence, and called for the group’s de-proscription.
Another protester, being carried away by police, shouted: “Freedom of speech is dead in this country, shame on the Metropolitan Police.”
A small counter-demonstration also took place in Parliament Square, with participants holding signs claiming “there is no genocide but there are 50 hostages still captive.”
The protest activity came two days before a significant court hearing involving Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, who is seeking legal permission to challenge the UK Home Secretary’s decision to ban the group.
Under the Terrorism Act 2000, membership in or support for Palestine Action now carries a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Police said that similar demonstrations over the past two weekends have resulted in 70 arrests under the same legislation.
The Government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action came after the group claimed responsibility for damaging two military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton last month.
Police said the attack on the Voyager aircraft caused around £7 million (€8 million) worth of damage.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called the group’s actions “disgraceful” and cited a pattern of criminal damage in her decision to outlaw the organisation.
Editing by M10News Protest Desk | Contact: protest@m10news.com
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