March part of a global day of action calling for an end to Israel’s genocidal war
Press Release, Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, 16th February 2024
TODAy Saturday 17th February the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, supported by more than 100 Irish civil society groups, is holding a National Demonstration for Palestine – calling for an end to Israel’s genocidal assault on the people of Gaza, and for the Irish government to take action to hold Israel accountable. It will be the fourth such national mobilisation since October - last month's march saw over 100,000 flood Dublin's streets - and is part of a global day of action that will see millions protesting around the world.
Protestors will assemble at 1pm at the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square, and will march from there to the Department of Foreign Affairs on St. Stephen’s Green for a rally.
Speakers at the rally will include IPSC Chairperson Zoe Lawlor, former Irish rugby international Trevor Hogan, Irish-Palestinian doctor Abdallah Al Bayyari, Richard Boyd Barrett TD, Dunnes Stores anti-apartheid striker Karen Gearon, and Dina, a Palestinian woman from Gaza.
There will also be musical performances by renowned Palestinian-Irish singer Roisin El Cheriff, and ballad singer Fieldsy who will perform ‘The Fields of Palestine’. Fatin Al Tamimi, Vice-Chair of the IPSC will MC the event.
IPSC Chairperson Zoe Lawlor said: “Recent polls are clear – the people of Ireland stand firmly behind the people of Palestine. 80% know they are seeing genocide unfold. 70% know Israel is an apartheid state. And 70% want sanctions! Even Simon Coveney this week called Israel a ‘rogue state’. We’ve been saying this for over twenty years and the time for 'reflection', 'debate', 'consideration' and hand-sitting is over - it's time for action! The government must sanction Israel, it must end the bilateral arms trade, must implement the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Divestment Bill, break diplomatic relations, push for the termination of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and join South Africa’s Gaza genocide case at the ICJ. Governments are supposed to reflect the will of the public, it’s time to listen to the people and act to end this live-streamed genocide!”
IPSC Vice-Chair, Fatin Al Tamimi, whose family members remain trapped in Gaza said: “The last national march for Palestine saw over 100,000 take to the streets of Dublin. This march is part of global day of action when millions all over the world will hit the streets – and we are seeing ever more people and groups joining us to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people, opposition to Israel’s genocide, and to call for action by the Irish government. We are filling the streets with hope, love and meaningful solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Palestine, especially those in Gaza!”
Karen Gearon, who was the shop steward of the 1984 Dunnes Stores Anti-Apartheid Strike said: "We were nine young women and one young man who forced the Irish government to ban South African produce because of the apartheid system. We were the first country in the western world to do so. What is happening now and for the past 75 years to the people of Palestine is apartheid, and it is the State of Israel that is committing these horrific war crimes, genocide, and the attempted extermination of the Palestinian people has to stop now! I am calling on people and governments to boycott Israeli goods and services, I am calling on the Irish government to immediately expel the Israeli ambassador and to cut all diplomatic ties with the state of Israel! I am also calling on the trade union movement to take a stronger stance by calling on their members to refuse to handle Israeli produce, goods or services. This will send a signal that Ireland stands with the people of Palestine just as we stood with the black people of South Africa in the 1980s."
Ricahrd Boyd Barrett TD said: "“After four months of a genocidal massacre in Gaza, Israel is intending yet another barbaric slaughter in Rafah! Israel can only contemplate this horror because Western governments, including the EU and our government, refuse to impose any sanctions on Israel. In opposition to this inaction, we are seeing enormous numbers of ordinary people on the streets of Dublin, and across the world, demanding that Israel’s impunity for its horrific crimes be ended, and that meaningful sanctions are finally imposed on this murderous apartheid regime!”
Former Irish rugby international Trevor Hogan, speaking on behalf of Irish Sport for Palestine, said: "With every single person on the streets we are showing the Palestinian people that we are still with them and we will never give up on them!"
Dr. Abdallah Al Bayyari said: "Though at times we may feel hopeless, the tides are turning, we will have our say," while Roisin El Cheriff said she wanted to see the Irish government "place sanctions on Israel," and called for a "boycott and suspension of all academic and medical ties to Israel."
ENDS
Notes for Editors
* In addition to the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the full list of 110 organisations that have endorsed the march are:
Supported by Trade Union Friends of Palestine, Gaza Action Ireland, Academics for Palestine, Irish Football Fans Against Israeli Apartheid, Irish Lawyers for Palestine, Comhlámh Justice for Palestine, Socialist Lawyers Association of Ireland, Kairos Ireland, Lawyers Against Racism, The People’s Movement, Ireland Palestine Mental Health Network, Sadaka – The Ireland-Palestine Alliance, Psychologists for Palestine, Teachers for Palestine, Afri – Action from Ireland, Bloody Sunday Trust, Bray & District Council of Trade Unions, Centre for Global Education, Comhlámh, Communincation Workers Union, Community Action Tenants Union – CATU, Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Dublin 4 Gaza, Dublin Council of Trade Unions, Ecojustice Ireland, Financial Justice Ireland, Greystones Against Genocide, Industrial Workers of the World – Ireland, Irish Anti-War Movement, Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Irish Health Care Workers for Palestine, Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, Irish Pakistani Community Network, Irish Sport for Palestine, Kashmir Peace and Solidarity Council Ireland, Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, Mullingar 4 All, National Women’s Council of Ireland, NCAD Students’ Union, PalFest Ireland, Peace and Neutrality Alliance, Peadar Brown’s Bar, Shannonwatch, TCD BDS Campaign, TCD Students’ Union, UCD Students’ Union, Cairde Palestine, Irish Artists for Palestine, Le Cheile – Diversity Not Division, Mothers Against Genocide, Teachers’ Union of Ireland, Mandate, Grandfathers Against Racism, Grandfathers Against Racism, Fórsa, Jews for Palestine – Ireland, Palestinian Rights Institute, Union of Students in Ireland, TUD Students’ Union, Dún Laoghaire for Palestine, Irish Social Workers and Social Care Workers for Palestine, East Wall Here for All, Cross-Cultural Conversations, Balbriggan Palestine Solidarity, Access for All Ireland, Drogheda Stands with Palestine, Monkstown Vigil for Palestine, United Against Racism, Trans & Intersex Pride, West Cork for Palestine, Friends of the Earth – Ireland, Adult Education Tutors for Palestine, Week at Work Podcast, Dublin Bay North for All, Trademark Belfast, Left Bloc, Kinvara Palestine Support Group, An Dream Dearg, Conradh Na Gaelige, Rosa Socialist Feminist Movement, Africa Centre, Dublin Ecofeminist Collective, Praxis Artists’ Union, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, SIPTU, Independent Workers’ Union, GCN – Gay Community News, National LGBT Federation, Slí Eile, National Animal Rights Association, Animal Rebellion Ireland, Climate Camp Ireland, Irish Second-Level Students’ Union, Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, IKRAM UKE, Irish Farmers for Palestine, Killorglin 4 Palestine, World Beyond War, Waterford Ramallah Twinning Committee, Pals for Palestine, Dublin LGBTQ Pride, Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Dublin Vegfest, Queers for Palestine Ireland, Postal Workers for Palestine, Cloughjordan Palestine Justice, Clare Solidarity Network and Gaels Against Genocide, and more to follow
ENDS
For advance comment, interview or promo [NOT FOR PUBLICATION]
Zoe Lawlor, IPSC Chair: 087 950 4397
Fatin Al Tamimi, IPSC Vice Chair: 086 026 7721
Betty Purcell, IPSC Media Team: 087 259 6003
For liaison with spokespeople/speakers on the day [NOT FOR PUBLICATION]
Betty Purcell, IPSC Media Team: 087 259 6003
Karen Moyhinan, IPSC Media Team: 085 754 7874
DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL - THIS ACCOUNT IS NOT MONITORED
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