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Several thousand people have marched on the Israeli Embassy in Dublin as part of pro-Palestine marches across Ireland.<\/p>\nSeveral thousand people have marched on the Israeli Embassy in Dublin as part of pro-Palestine marches across Ireland.<\/p>\n
A total of 23 protests, rallies and vigils were held around the country in response to the violence that has erupted in Gaza in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
The largest demonstration was held in Dublin, with protesters meeting at the Spire on O\u2019Connell St and marching to the Israeli Embassy in Ballsbridge.<\/p>\n
During the march, the crowd stretched 2.3 kilometers from Trinity College to the embassy.<\/p>\n
Protesters wore masks, as requested by the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), who organized the event, which was described as \u201cpeaceful\u201d by garda\u00ed.<\/p>\n
Chants of \u201cFrom the river to the sea, Palestine will be free\u201d and \u201cFree, free Palestine\u201d rang out in front of the embassy, where a heavy Garda presence was in place.<\/p>\n
Martin O\u2019Quigley, one of the organizers of the event, has called on the Irish Government to do more for the people of Palestine.<\/p>\n
He compared the situation in Palestine to apartheid in South Africa.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe Government has to do more, not just our Government, but the European Union as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve been saying for years that they condemn it, but it\u2019s not good.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was involved in the anti-apartheid movement back in the 70s and 80s. You couldn\u2019t just condemn South Africa, because they\u2019d just keep on doing it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had to have sanctions introduced in South Africa and there was a sports boycott.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis country was one of the first in the world to boycott South African produce, so you have to take action, you have to show a bit of resolve.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s no good condemning Israel any more because they\u2019re not listening, and they don\u2019t need to.\u201d<\/p>\n
He called for the implementation of the Occupied Territories Bill, which would prohibit trade and economic cooperation in illegal settlements deemed occupied under international law.<\/p>\n
The Bill passed through the previous D\u00e1il, with the support of the Green Party and Fianna F\u00e1il.<\/p>\n
However, it was dropped from the Program for Government in 2020, with Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin saying it was not legally possible to implement, something disputed by its supporters.<\/p>\n
The protests were part of demonstrations taking place in cities across the world, after an 11-day military offensive between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the protest, IPSC chairperson Fatin Al Tamimi said: \u201cAs a Palestinian with close family in Gaza who has been so anxious and worried over the past two weeks, it has given me great strength and hope to see the people of Ireland in cities, towns and even villages all over the land out on the streets to support my people. Ireland always shows up for Palestine.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, he said: \u201cToday in Gaza, a battered and besieged people are celebrating an end to a fortnight of violence and terror inflicted upon them by a nuclear armed apartheid state.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut just because the bombs have stopped raining down on families doesn\u2019t mean that Israel\u2019s violence has ended. Palestinians are under attack every day from the violence of colonial oppression.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Garda spokesperson said: \u201cA peaceful demonstration held earlier today, Saturday 22nd May 2021 in the city center of Dublin passed off without incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cRolling road closures were put in place to facilitate the safe movement of those involved and management of traffic.\u201d<\/p>\n