Thousands attend pro-Palestinian rally in Dublin
Saturday's rally saw demonstrators march from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square to Leinster House.
It was the 16th such demonstration since October 2023 and came after the Dáil rose for the summer recess.
The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) accused the Government of an 'absolute refusal to hold Israel accountable for a genocide in which the Apartheid state has slaughtered more than 58,000 Palestinians'.
The march demanded an end to the Central Bank of Ireland's role in approving Israel Bonds for sale in the EU, for the Government to include services in the Occupied Territories Bill and to pass that legislation.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon, who spoke at the rally, said he would be lodging legal papers against the Central Bank on Tuesday.
The bank is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israel Bonds in the EU, and has determined the securities meet the standards of the bloc's prospectus regulations.
Israel Bonds have been advertised as supporting the country's economy and, more recently, websites promoting the securities emphasise their role in supporting Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Protesters and opposition parties have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns.
They say the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, while Ireland has an obligation under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide.
Mr Gannon has issued a letter to the bank about investor protection concerns relating to the bonds, as well as the use of the bonds to finance the war in Gaza.
He said the Central Bank has the power to stop the sale of the bonds.
He said: 'Politicians have spoken too long all the while a genocide is being inflicted upon the population of Gaza. The demands today are clear – act.
He added: 'On Tuesday, I'll be lodging papers against the Central Bank. Genocide can never be considered a technical matter – our only duty is to prevent it and punish those responsible.'
Marah Nijim, a 23-year-old who came to Ireland from Gaza three months ago, told the crowd she was forced to leave her home, her family and her 'soul' and 'heart'.
She said Palestinians in Gaza are deprived of human rights, adding that she is 'living with nightmares' of people burning alive and calling for help.
'Protesting is not enough any more, we need real actions from Government. People in Gaza are being starved to death.'
Demonstrators also called for an end to the use of Irish airspace for the transport of weapons to the region.
The rally also criticised the Government after 33 Palestinian children were recently denied entry to Ireland over visa issues.
GAA Palestine said it had to take the 'heartbreaking' decision to cancel a planned Irish tour for the children.
IPSC chairperson Zoe Lawlor said: 'The Irish government is barely lifting a finger to end Ireland's deep complicity in this genocide.'
Ms Lawlor added: 'On top of this we have the appalling spectacle of the state refusing visas to child medical evacuees and Palestinian kids to visit Ireland to play our national sports.'
Stretching along Molesworth Street in front of Leinster House was a 120ft long and 5.5ft wide quilt, made up of 2,300 panels.
Each panel – the vast majority of which were knitted by hand – is designed to represent the deaths of 10 children in Gaza, adding up to a total of 23,000 children.
Anna Doyle and Niamh Bonner, from Craftivism For Gaza, said they are still accepting squares as the death toll continues to rise.
Ms Doyle told the PA news agency: 'Each square represents 10 children. Their voices have been lost to the world forever.
'It also represents the voice of the crafter because most of them are made by people who wouldn't be able to come to a protest.'
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