Protesters demand sanctions

THE streets of Dublin rang out last night to demands that the Israeli ambassador be expelled and trade sanctions be imposed against the mideast state as about 2,000 people marched through the capital to protest against yesterday’s aid flotilla attack.

At the O’Connell Street Spire, and again at the march’s conclusion outside the Israeli Embassy building in Ballsbridge, the demonstrators heard a succession of speakers, including ICTU president Jack O’Connor, Fianna Fáil TD Chris Andrews, Sinn Féin TD Aengus O Snodaigh and Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) chairman David Landy, demand the Government impose tough sanctions on Israel.

Mr Landy, whose group organised the protest, told the crowd it was not enough for the Government to adopt its usual damage limitation mode, but “to take real action” against Israel in response to the attack.

This would include trade sanctions and cutting diplomatic links.

Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly also called for trade sanctions against Israeli. He compared the attack to the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry. “The people of Ireland more than any other people know the consequences of last night’s actions.”

He dismissed Israeli claims that their commandos had been acting in self-defence as “mere spin”.

Mr Daly, with Mr Andrews and Mr O Snodaigh were refused access to the flotilla by the Cypriot authorities after coming under severe pressure from Israel.

Mr O’Connor said; “To launch a military assault on a humanitarian convoy is beyond the bounds of all that is acceptable and should be judged as such by the international community. The assault was akin to the actions of a rogue state.”

Among those attending the march were actor Adrian Dunbar and Lord Mayor of Dublin Emer Costello. The protest also heard an impassioned speech from the wife of a dual citizenship Arab-Irish man on the flotilla.

Among the political parties whose banners were displayed were the Labour Party, Workers Party and Socialist Workers Party. There was also a large attendance from the Arab community.

In Cork around 100 people attended a lunchtime protest organised by the IPSC Cork Branch and supported by the Workers Party, Sinn Féin, the Socialist Party, Socialist Workers Party, Workers Solidarity movement and the Cork Council of Trade Unions.

The protesters marched to City Hall, calling on the Lord Mayor to open a book of condolences and to demand the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador.

There were also protests in Galway and Belfast.