Galway IPSC joins National Demonstration for Palestine in Dublin

By Michelle Geraghty

On 13 January, thousands of people joined the National Demonstration for Palestine in Dublin to bring their demands to the door of the Irish Government at the offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs on Stephen’s Green.

According to demonstration organisers, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Ireland made history when 100,000 people took to the streets of Dublin, including dozens who marched with the Galway branch of the IPSC. The demonstration was part of a Global Day of Action for Palestine.

Speaking at the rally on behalf of the Galway branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Rania Muhareb said that for nearly 100 days, they have been campaigning for the Irish Government to take immediate action to stop “Israel’s unconscionable onslaught” against the people of Palestine.

South Africa vs Israel

“This week, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar refused to Ireland (sic) to join South Africa in its landmark case against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice” said Ms Muahreb. 

Last week, Mr Varadkar expressed concern about the use of the term genocide and about making accusations of genocide in his response to the question of whether Ireland would join South Africa’s case.

“I would just think we need to be a little bit careful about using words like that unless we’re absolutely convinced that they’re the appropriate ones,” he said.

But according to Rania Muahreb, Varadkar has not listened to the facts. “There is clear evidence of genocide being committed against the Palestinian people… his position does not represent the will of the Irish people” she said.

“We are calling on the Irish Government to stop the genocide, to comply with its legal duty to prevent genocide and to impose sanctions on Israel as well as call for sanctions at EU level”.

The Dublin demonstration was one of many held on the island of Ireland on day 99 of Israel’s war on Gaza, including demonstrations in Cork, Derry and Ennis.