Dublin protests in solidarity with people of Gaza
Channel: Union Solidarity International
Date: 2014-07-20

Gaza Protest Planned for Dublin City Center, Saturday 19th, as Israeli Ground Incursion Brings More Casualties


Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Press Release, Friday 18 July, 4pm


The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign has called a March & Rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people, especially those currently being bombarded in Gaza. It will take place tomorrow Saturday 19 July at 2pm at The Spire on O'Connell Street, Dublin 1 before moving to the Dail and then on Israeli Embassy.


The rally has been called as Israel's assault on Gaza reached a new low when a ground incursion of Israeli troops into the region began on Thursday night. There have been major power outages in Gaza ever since and the El-Wafa hospital has been burned to the ground. Already 271 Palestinians have been killed, amongst them over 60 children. The UN confirmed in a report this week that 80% of those killed as a result of Israel's 'Operation Protective Edge' have been civilians. The deliberate targeting of a civilian population amounts to collective punishment and is illegal under international law.

Other demonstrations and actions have been called by the IPSC and other groups all across Ireland, including Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Derry, Sligo, Lurgan and a 'Boycott Israeli Blood Diamonds' action in Dublin before the main demonstration. A full and regularly updated list is available on the IPSC website here.


NOTE: IPSC has numerous Palestinian, Israeli and international contacts in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and internationally who are available for interview. Contact the IPSC for further details.


IPSC Media Spokesperson Freda Hughes said, "Israel's flagrant and persistent disregard for human rights norms and international law must not be allowed to continue. The impunity which the international community consistently bestows upon the Israeli state ensures many more innocent Palestinian lives will be lost. We are calling on all people of conscience to join us tomorrow to show that they will not stand idly by while this injustice continues."


Ms Hughes continued, "The Irish government must demand that Israel be suspended from the Euro-Med Agreement, which allows it preferential trade with Europe, until it complies with international law and respects human rights, as it is obliged to under Article 2 of that agreement. The Irish government should also join the chorus of voices from international civil society demanding an arms embargo on the Israeli state." 


The protest is a peaceful demonstration supported by  the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Trade Union Friends of Palestine, the Irish Anti-War Movement, Gaza Action Ireland, Sadaka - The Ireland Palestine Alliance, TEEU (The Power Union), Academics for Palestine and the Peace and Neutrality Alliance.


ENDS 

Video © Paula Geraghty