Dublin Hosts Largest March for Palestine as Death Toll Rises

An estimated 10,000 people marched through the streets of Dublin on July 19, 2025, in what has been described as the largest National March for Palestine to date. Organized by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and supported by over 170 civil society organizations, the demonstration began at Parnell Square and concluded at Leinster House. It marked the 16th national protest since October 2023, with participants calling on the Irish government to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza, where more than 58,000 Palestinians are reported to have lost their lives in the past 20 months.

Protesters carried banners and chanted slogans urging the Central Bank of Ireland to stop facilitating Israeli government bonds. As the march reached the Dáil, a rally featured prominent speakers and performances, highlighting personal stories from those directly affected by the conflict.

Among the speakers was Mary Manning, a Dunnes Stores worker known for her historic protest against apartheid South Africa. She drew connections between the anti-apartheid movement and current efforts for Palestine. Marah Nijim, a 23-year-old student from Gaza, shared her painful experience of having her brother hospitalized due to starvation, stating, “It’s kind of heavy for me to talk now because I just got the news that my brother is in hospital because of a lack of food.”

Other speakers included Gary Gannon, a Social Democrats TD, and representatives from various organizations, who echoed the sentiments of the crowd. The core demand of the march was for the full implementation of the Occupied Territories Bill, which seeks to prohibit trade with illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. Although the Irish government plans to advance the Bill this autumn, campaigners are pushing for a comprehensive ban on trade in both services and goods.

Zoe Lawlor, Chairperson of IPSC, criticized the government for what she termed “hypocrisy and cowardice.” She highlighted the government’s refusal to grant visas to 33 young Palestinian GAA players and performers from the Lajee cultural centre in the West Bank. “They are blocking the students in Gaza who have already been accepted to Irish universities,” she stated.

Lawlor also condemned the use of Shannon Airport by the US military for arms transport, arguing that it implicates Ireland in Israel’s actions. “Israel does not commit this genocide alone. It does so with the weapons, the money, and the political cover it gets from the US and the EU,” she added.

The timing of the march coincided with escalating violence in Gaza, including reports of 93 people killed by Israeli fire while queuing for food on July 20. The Israeli military recently entered the southern and eastern districts of Deir Al-Balah, claiming that hostages held by Hamas may be located there.

International diplomatic efforts are also underway, with plans for a UN conference in New York later this month co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, where Palestine is expected to be formally recognized by several states. Despite these developments, demonstrators in Dublin and beyond insist that mere recognition of Palestine is insufficient. They demand concrete actions, including sanctions, to help put an end to the ongoing violence and occupation.

The momentum of the protest reflects a growing movement advocating for Palestinian rights, emphasizing the need for urgent action from the Irish government and the international community.