Thousands of people have gathered at Merrion Square for a protest calling to “end Gaza genocide” amid war in Israel.
The demonstration, organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), met at the Garden of Remembrance at 1pm and marched to Merrion Square.
They demand that the Irish Government call for an immediate ceasefire in Israel and an end to the “illegal siege” in Gaza and to recognise “that Israel’s system of Apartheid enforced upon the Palestinian people underpins all violence in the region”.
Protestors also called for the Government to implement the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill.
Massive demonstration calling for end to siege of Gaza and solidarity with #Palestine in Dublin Ireland #Gaza #StopTheWar pic.twitter.com/bG5pZ2CARW
— Rory Hearne (@RoryHearneGaffs) October 21, 2023
The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) said over one million Gazans have been made homeless since early October are “effectively roaming around southern Gaza in search of water, food and shelter”.
IAWM PRO Jim Roche said there must be “an end to this obscene vengeful bombardment of the Gazan civilian population and infrastructure by Israel”.
“Before this recent onslaught by Israel almost 500 trucks of aid went to Gaza per day. This is the level of aid that needs to be restored,” he said.
“We also call for genuine peace talks that could lead to a safe exchange of hostages, talks that must recognise the equal rights of Palestinians to exist, resist and defend their homeland, in the same manner that everyone defends Israel’s right to defend itself.”
🇵🇸 Thousands lining the streets of Dublin, standing in Solidarity with #Palestine amid the ongoing onslaught and siege of #Gaza #FreePalestine #EndIsraeliApartheid pic.twitter.com/JouHkHFYkl
— Thomas Pringle T.D. (@ThomasPringleTD) October 21, 2023
The Palestinian Health Ministry have said 4,300 people have died in Palestine since Israel began a counterattack in response to airstrikes from Hamas.
The latest reports suggest 1,400 people have died in Israel within the same time and 200 people have been taken hostage by Hamas, with two released so far.
