Thousands of protesters gathered in Dublin this weekend to express solidarity with Palestine and urge stronger action from the Irish government regarding Israel's policies. According to BBC News, the march was organized by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), drawing demonstrators from the Garden of Remembrance through central Dublin to Leinster House, Ireland's parliamentary seat. The rally came just a day after the announcement of an upcoming general election, amplifying calls for the Irish government to take a firmer stance.
The IPSC-led event urged for bold measures, including sanctions on Israel and expelling it from the United Nations. Protesters also highlighted the Irish government's recent failure to pass legislation limiting trade with Israeli settlements before the Dáil, Ireland's parliament, was dissolved. Marchers waved Palestinian flags, held banners, and wore keffiyehs, expressing solidarity with Palestine as they traversed the streets of Dublin.
Zoe Lawlor, chair of IPSC, spoke passionately about the need to hold Israel accountable, citing the International Court of Justice's rulings against Israel's occupation and alleged apartheid practices. "Palestinians know, and we know-the ICJ has ruled it: occupation is illegal, apartheid is illegal, forced displacement is illegal, and our Government has to name these crimes," Lawlor said. "Denying that it is apartheid and genocide is a way to avoid sanctioning these crimes, and we won't tolerate it any longer. We are sick of endless words of concern and condemnations. It is meaningless unless it is turned into action."
The march was one of many Irish protests held since October 2023, amid escalating conflict between Israel and Gaza. Protesters and speakers demanded the Irish government halt arms shipments to Israel, bar its airspace from military transit to the region, and cut trade ties with Israel. Key legislative demands included passing the Occupied Territories Bill, the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill, and an arms embargo on Israel.
Notable attendees included Palestinian activists Mazen Abughali and Eman Mohammed, as well as Irish political figures such as People Before Profit's Richard Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy, Labour's Ivana Bacik, and independents Clare Daly and Sinead Gibney.
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