Meet the boy who marches on Cork's streets calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza 

The first year student of Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in Bishopstown, whose family hails from Egypt, says he will advocate for a free Palestine for as long as it takes

Leading the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign march on Saturday is 13-year-old Omar Soliman. Pictures: Larry Cummins

While other boys his age are being dropped to GAA training or hanging out with friends, Omar Soliman, one of Cork’s youngest anti-genocide activists, spends his Saturdays a little differently.

It’s been more than two years since the 13-year-old first took to the streets as part of the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign rallies. He has spent every Saturday since marching with the group as part of efforts to end genocide in Gaza. 

Attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023, led to an escalation of conflict that has resulted in deaths exceeding 77,800, according to the Gaza Health Ministry (GHM). While a ceasefire agreement came into effect on October, 10, 2025, it is believed that restrictions around aid entering Gaza still apply.

Omar Soliman says he will continue to advocate for a free Palestine for as long as it takes.

Despite his tender age, Omar regularly leads the protests, repeating chants such as “open the borders” and “let the aid in” as the march travels from Grand Parade through Cork City.

The first year student of Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in Bishopstown, whose family hails from Egypt, says he will continue advocating for a free Palestine for as long as it takes.

“The weight of this is too great for me to just watch this and let it happen,” he told the Irish Examiner. 

I wonder how the people running this world could let this happen. 

"Not every country has freedom of speech so I am very lucky. We’re able to protest in Ireland and I am very happy to have that right. This is really the least I can do.” 

The marches have been something of an education for Omar.

“What I don’t hear about on the news I hear at the protests. I recently met people from Gaza who moved to Cork and we’re good friends now.” The teenager explained how he came to lead many of the rallies.

“I went with my friend and sometimes we asked if we could do the chants on the mic. After a while they started giving us the mic. At the start I would forget the chants but now I remember everything and I know exactly what to do.” 

Cork Palestine Solidarity Group march gathers at Grand Parade before heading off through the city centre. 

When it comes to his campaigning, Omar’s parents, Amer and Fatima, have been extremely supportive.

“My parents are really happy that I’m doing this but they always remind me of one thing, that I am doing all of this, not to get famous or for people to like me and say 'good job'.

"They remind me to renew my intention, and that intention is for my voice to be heard to help people in Gaza and stop this war. My favourite subject at school is history. History repeats itself. We can see that right now, as we go from one genocide to another.” 

Omar hopes to encourage other kids his age to speak out.

“We need to protest and not just assume that our government is doing everything right. We need to speak up and make our voices heard.” 

Omar’s father, Amer, said the rallies have been an education for the whole family.

“Sometimes it can be frustrating when there is nothing you can do about all this killing. For us, it’s more for Omar and a lesson about how not to be selfish. I consider myself Egyptian Irish. 

"From going to these rallies, we have got to know the Irish more too and how they got through similar struggles. They might be different stories but they are the same struggles. 

As humans we are one family. 

"This is really inspiring and an education for us as well as Omar. We are hearing about real people and their stories. “ 

The family is steadfast in their loyalty to the cause.

“The only time we are not at the Saturday rally is if we are out of the country. If I am visiting family in Egypt or we have these kind of troubles, then this is the only time we are missing the rally. 

"When you miss a rally, you feel like you are missing something very important. At this moment, this is all we can do. It’s just us playing our part.” 

Cork Palestine Solidarity Group marches every Saturday.

Omar and his parents are not alone in their solidarity. A number of high-profile figures have been raising awareness of the struggles of the Palestinian people, including Cobh comedian Maeve Higgins who hosted a number of events over the weekend to mark the anniversary of the Nakba.

The Nakba occurred in 1948 when around 750,000 people, about half of Palestine's population, were expelled from their homes first by paramilitaries, and — after the establishment of the state of Israel — by the Israeli Defence Forces.