Thousands march in support of Palestine in Dublin, Cork and Limerick
Protesters took part in a pro-Palestine rally in Dublin, demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Picture: PA
Thousands have marched today in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick in solidarity with the Palestinian people and to call for a ceasefire in Gaza
The Dublin protest began at the Garden of Remembrance and marched across the River Liffey, with demonstrators chanting: “In our thousands in our millions, we are all Palestinians”; “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, and: “Ceasefire now”.
Cork City Ireland now! pic.twitter.com/jlaB9Eo2x5
— Martin Leahy (@TheNewReview2) November 18, 2023
At the Department of Foreign Affairs building, Iveagh House, the protesters took part in a sit-in.
Members of the protest threw red paint at the Department of Foreign Affairs headquarters.
Those involved say the paint on Iveagh House is there to represent the blood of Palestinians, which they believe to be on the hands of the Government.
The demonstration was organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and saw members of People Before Profit, the Labour Party, the Social Democrats, and Sinn Féin take part.
The march comes as 24 Irish citizens and dependants left Gaza through the Rafah crossing on Friday night.
In a statement to the PA news agency, Government officials said: “The Department of Foreign Affairs can confirm that 24 Irish citizens and dependants were ultimately able to exit Gaza at the Rafah crossing last night.
“This brings to 50 the number of Irish citizens and dependants assisted to leave Gaza in recent days.
“Only small numbers of citizens or accompanying dependants who have expressed a wish to leave remain in Gaza.
“The department remains in contact in each case and will continue to work consistently with the relevant authorities to ensure they are able to leave Gaza as soon as possible.”
Another week and Limerick shows it’s support to the people of Gaza 🇵🇸🇵🇸 We will be here every Saturday until there is a ceasefire #FreePalaestine pic.twitter.com/VUE87maBGU
— Cllr Elisa O'Donovan (@elisaodonovan) November 18, 2023
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that Ireland was “working really hard at EU level and UN level to put pressure on” for a ceasefire to be implemented.
He said that a ceasefire would have to be adhered to by all sides in the conflict.
“We’re calling for a ceasefire so that the killing can stop, so that hostages can be released, so that we can get humanitarian aid in and then to begin, at some point, talks about peace again.”
He added: “Israel and Palestine came close to peace on at least three occasions in my lifetime. That may seem ridiculous now, but you can never give up hope for peace.
“And I think of leaders like Yitzhak Rabin, people who are willing to sacrifice their own lives in the battle for peace. And it’s that kind of leadership that we need again on both sides.”
The marches took place as Israel continued its bombardment of Northern Gaza today.
ActionAid Ireland CEO Karol Balfe said: “This morning we have seen chilling scenes of doctors taking patients in critical conditions on beds and wheelchairs out of Al-Shifa hospital – a death sentence for hundreds of people who will be forced to leave behind lifesaving care and travel miles to hospitals that are no longer operational.
Hospitals across northern Gaza including Al-Awda where ActionAid’s partners work, are already overcrowded, out of fuel, and without the medical supplies they need to keep patients alive, she said.
“With thousands of women giving birth over the coming weeks, many will now face life-threatening journeys to hospitals that cannot provide them with lifesaving care.” she added.
“The forced shutdown of Al-Shifa hospital and failure to provide an alternative for sick and injured civilians could be a breach of international humanitarian law,” she said.
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