TOMORROW, Saturday 9th November the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, supported by more than 150 Irish civil society groups, is holding a National Demonstration for Palestine – to send a message to election candidates and the next government that the Irish public want sanctions on the racist, apartheid, genocidal Israeli regime NOW! The march will call for an end to Israel’s genocidal assault on the people of Gaza, for states to stop arming Israel, an end to the use of Irish airspace for transporting weapons, and for the Irish government to take action to hold Israel accountable.
It will be the eleventh such national mobilisation since October 2023 - all of which have seen tens of thousands flood Dublin's streets in opposition to Israel's slaughter in Gaza that has seen more than 43,000 people killed, as well as almost 1,00 in the West Bank, and more than 3,000 in Lebanon.
Protestors will assemble at 1pm at the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square, and will march from there to Leinster House for a rally outside the Dáil.
Speaking ahead of the protest, IPSC Chairperson Zoë Lawlor said, "For over a year now, Gaza has known only death, destruction and displacement. More than 43,000 Palestinians have been murdered in Israel’s genocide. This includes more than 17,000 children. 10,000 more are missing, their fates unknown. Around 100,000 people have been injured in Israeli attacks. Famine and disease stalk the land, while the healthcare system has been eviscerated. Almost 2 million people have been displaced, made homeless, and living precariously knowing that at any moment the worst may happen to them or their loved ones.
"And all the while, Western governments have allowed this to happen – whether by actively facilitating Apartheid Israel’s brutal onslaught, or by doing nothing to stop it. This has to end! As a general election looms, we need to let the politicians that we want meaningful sanctions on Apartheid Israel, and we want them now! Bring your friends and family! Bring noise and hope! Let’s make our voices heard and demands unignorable!"
Speakers at the rally will include Gazan activist Mazen Abughali, Palestinian activist and videographer Abdaal Salim, Palestinian photojournalist Eman Mohammed from Gaza, Richard Boyd Barrett TD, UpLift campaigns director Brian Cuthbert, and IPSC Chairperson Zoë Lawlor.
There will also be musical performances by Palestinian rapper Talha Alali (Wise Wolf) who will perform alongside Irish singer-songwriter Sive and Irish rapper Blue Niall. Palestinian musicians Mohammad Kahla and Abed Alqam from the West Bank will also perform. Claire O'Neill, Chairperson of the IPSC's Dublin branch, will MC the event.
There will be a disability access point at the intersection of D'Olier St and College Green. The Trade Union assembly point is outside Mandate Head Office on Cavendish Row, and Community Groups will be assembling outside the Hugh Lane Gallery. There will also be Healthcare Workers and Queer blocs.
