Thousands March in Dublin, Demand Sanctions Against Israel NOW

UPDATE: Thousands of demonstrators are currently participating in a pro-Palestinian rally in the heart of Dublin, urging the Irish Government to impose sanctions on Israel. The protest, which started at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 15, 2023, saw participants march from the Garden of Remembrance to Leinster House, marking the 16th rally since October 2023.

This rally comes on the heels of the Irish Parliament’s summer recess, intensifying calls for government action. The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has accused the Irish Government of an “absolute refusal to hold Israel accountable for a genocide” that has resulted in the deaths of over 58,000 Palestinians.

Demonstrators are demanding an end to the Central Bank of Ireland’s approval of Israel Bonds for sale in the EU and legislative action on the Occupied Territories Bill. Protesters also called for a halt to the use of Irish airspace for weapon transport to the region. Adding to the urgency, the IPSC criticized the government for recently denying entry to 33 Palestinian children due to visa issues, which has led to the heartbreaking cancellation of a planned tour for these children by GAA Palestine.

Zoe Lawlor, chairperson of IPSC, stated, “The Irish government is barely lifting a finger to end Ireland’s deep complicity in this genocide.” She further condemned the refusal of visas for child medical evacuees, saying, “It’s appalling.”

A striking visual element of the protest is a massive quilt stretching 120 feet long and 5.5 feet wide, made up of 2,300 panels. Each panel represents the deaths of 10 children in Gaza, totaling a heartbreaking 23,000 children lost. The quilt was crafted by individuals unable to attend the protest, highlighting the voices lost in conflict.

Anna Doyle and Niamh Bonner from Craftivism For Gaza expressed their commitment to continue accepting quilt squares as the death toll tragically rises. Doyle emphasized the emotional weight of each square, saying, “Their voices have been lost to the world forever.”

As the rally unfolds, the urgent demands and emotional expressions of solidarity resonate deeply, reflecting a growing frustration with government inaction. The IPSC and protesters are determined to keep the pressure on Irish authorities to address the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

Stay tuned for further updates as this developing situation evolves.