March to the Israeli Embassy Dublin May 31 2010

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Wednesday June 02, 2010 16:04

by Elle Mayberry

Dublin saw a march of almost 2,000 people protesting against the atrocities that took place in international waters which resulted in the Israeli navy murdering at least 10 aid workers carrying essential supplies to the people of Gaza.

Dublin saw a march of almost 2,000 people protesting against the atrocities that took place in international waters which resulted in the Israeli navy murdering at least 10 aid workers carrying essential supplies to the people of Gaza.

The crowd gathered at the spire in O’ Connell Street at 6pm and following speeches marched to the Israeli Embassy. The protesters chanted “Israel is the number one terrorist” “Israeli Ambassador, out, out, out” “Free Gaza, Free Palestine”... Individuals and groups such as Irish Anti War, Socialist Worker’s Party and Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign held banners stating “Expel the Israeli Ambassador Now” “Stop Israeli’s theft of Palestinian Land” “Israel is the Terrorist, Free Palestine”.

On reaching the embassy, the voice of the crowd rose and chanted “Israeli Ambassador, Out, Out, Out” while pointing at the embassy.
Speakers included two TDs, Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Chris Andrews whom were refused to join the flotilla by the Cypriot authorities, IPSC’s chairperson David Landy and more pro-Palestine human rights activists.

Mr. Landy asked the crowd to put pressure on the government to ensure it lets the Rachel Corrie through to Gaza, to make sure Ireland no longer buys Israeli arms and no longer give trade privileges. He urged everyone to contact Cement Roadstone Holdings (an Irish company involved in building the apartheid wall in the middle of Palestine) and demand that they divest.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh called for an end to the preferential trade agreement between the EU and Israel. He suggested Ireland, the EU and other countries put together a flotilla of ships with humanitarian aid for Gaza backed by the navy.

An Irish woman, whose husband was on board the Challenger 1, gave a heartfelt speech pleading with everyone to find information on who was injured or killed on the ship. She and her husband have four children and she is distraught not knowing if he is alive or dead.