'Doctors are not targets': Medics lead chants as 1,000 people march for Palestine in Cork

Health workers on today's march in Cork said they are devastated by the “hellish conditions” being faced by patients and health workers in Gaza

Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign continue their protest marches, in Cork City on Saturday, January 27, 2024. People hold a banner calling for a boycott of apartheid Israel. Picture: Larry Cummins

Dozens of medics and health workers joined an estimated 1,000 people in the latest march for Palestine through Cork city today for the 16th Saturday in a row.

Doctors are not targets, they chanted, as they urged the government to take concrete action against Israel in the wake of Friday’s ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that there is a plausible case that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

The court also issued provisional measures against Israel directing that it avoid military actions that would lead to genocide in Gaza, and to immediately supply humanitarian aid.

Health workers on the march today said they are devastated by the “hellish conditions” being faced by patients and health workers in Gaza as hospitals come under attack, and blockades prevent access to essential medicines, food and supplies.

Anne O’Flynn, a mental health nurse from Cork Mental Health Services, said they fought covid and now they’re fighting for Palestine.

Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign continue their protest marches, in Cork City on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Picture: Larry Cummins

“The head of the World Health Organization cried yesterday - he just said he had no words for the situation. I’m marching today to call on the Irish Government to listen to healthcare workers and take action,” she said.

Dr Katie Boyle said healthcare workers are not a target.

“At least 403 healthcare workers have been killed so far and likely more. I’m marching for a ceasefire now,” she said.

Cora O’Flynn, a community mental health nurse, said the Irish government must “up its game to act against Israel’s horrific actions”.

Doctors in Gaza are having to carry out surgeries like amputations and emergency caesareans without anaesthetic because Israel is blocking medical supplies and bombing hospitals with impunity. It’s horrifying,” she said.

“As a nurse myself I can’t stop thinking about how it must feel to have to amputate a child’s leg without anaesthetic. We can’t stand by and let this happen.

“The Irish Government needs to act and Irish people need to act - we all need to get out on the streets, talk to our TDs and look up the global Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign to see what companies we can boycott to put economic pressure on Israel.” 

Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign continue their protest marches, in Cork City on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Picture: Larry Cummins

Co-chair of the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Dr Kathy Glavanis, called on the Irish government to “get off the fence” and support South Africa's “moral leadership” by joining its case against Israel at the ICJ.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said as was agreed by the Dáil earlier this week, the government “will strongly consider” intervention in the case following a detailed analysis of the ICJ’s decision.

“I have therefore asked my officials to prepare legal advice for my consideration on an urgent basis,” he said.

Similar demonstrations for Palestine are set to take place in Clonakilty, Midleton, Carrigaline, Mallow, Bandon and Skibbereen this weekend.