Galway Shows Its Support for Palestinians Following Recent Ceasefire Deal

By Eoin Maher

Last Sunday’s rally for Palestine in Galway saw hundreds march through Eyre Square and Shop Street in solidarity with Palestine.

The march allowed Galweigans and those from further afield to make their voices heard in light of the recent U.S.-Israel brokered ceasefire in Gaza, where more than 66,000 people were killed.

“We were absolutely delighted with the event,” said Niall Farrell from the Galway Palestine Solidarity Campaign. “This was particularly significant given the media’s focus on the so-called ‘Trump ceasefire.’”

Among the flags, chants and signs populating the Spanish Arch, protest met creativity with some profound imagery.

For Niall, one example sprang to mind. A bomb, portraying a, “Mock missile featuring Trump, Micheál Martin and Simon Harris… Their bloodied hands symbolising their complicity in the Gaza genocide,” he said.

“A speech bubble from the Tánaiste’s mouth referenced the recent revelation from The Ditch: “Don’t tell them. We let Isreal transfer weapons through Shannon,” he added.

Genocide was more than just a theme on Sunday. Victims of the ongoing conflict were present; a stark reminder of reality thousands of Gazans contend with daily.

A small Palestinian girl led the march from the Spanish Arch to Eyre Square. “So small but so strong in her determination to free her homeland from occupation,” said Farrell.

Vocalising the silence by the Western media regarding this tragedy was central to this event. In his speech, Zac Hania, also from Gaza, highlighted the bias of Western media, RTÉ inclusive, of Israeli ‘hostages’ compared to Palestinian ‘prisoners.’

Hania recounted how his nephew went missing, only for his body to be returned bloodied, hands still cuffed behind his back.

This was not an isolated occurrence. Hania explained that over a hundred bodies of Palestinians were returned in a similar state, demonstrating a pattern of torturous ‘prisoner’ deaths.

“His speech was a stark reminder that the Palestinian people have endured a nightmare for over 80 years,” said Farrell.

This is important to remember, bearing in mind that Hania’s grandparents welcomed Jews escaping genocide in Europe.

Hania, after delivering a heartfelt thank you to those in attendance and the Irish people, said Palestinians ‘drew courage’ from Ireland’s past of resisting foreign occupation.

Irish poet Sarah Clancy, who recently returned from Israeli detention, was also in attendance. Taking the mic in Eyre Square, she explained how her clothing displaying Palestinian symbolism was confiscated, cut up and returned to her.

Clancy was aboard the Sumud Flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza when she was taken captive by Israeli forces.

Zac and Sarah both recounted tales of cruelty and Western-backed terror against Gazans and those willing to support them.

“Overall, the rally was a sombre but resolute affirmation that the people of Galway stand on the side of justice and will continue to demand an end to the genocide and the apartheid system, until Palestine is free,” added Farrell.

A typical Galway downpour might have prevented some of the planned musicians from playing in Eyre Square, but the spirit and determination of those participating in the Rally for Palestine remained defiantly undampened.

On Friday, Donald Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, flew to Israel to meet Israeli, American and other Western forces to oversee the recent ceasefire agreement in Gaza.