Dun Laoghaire activists campaign for Government to support Palestine

Gary Ibbotson 28 May 2021

Dun Laoghaire residents, politicians and activists have established a group calling on the Irish Government to boycott Israel over its current conflict with Palestine.

The group has been holding demonstrations on the East Pier of Dun Laoghaire Harbour for the past couple Saturday mornings and are planning to continue events for the foreseeable future.

One of the group’s organisers, Independent councillor Hugh Lewis says the group will be meeting until the Irish Government takes the necessary steps.

“In Dún Laoghaire, a newly established campaigning group called ‘Dún Laoghaire Stands With Palestine’ have started to hold regular protests each Saturday, against both the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and the Irish governments refusal to take decisive and active steps to intervene,” he says.

“The group is composed of local people across Dún Laoghaire and members of the Palestinian community resident in the area.

“It is open to anyone who seeks to bring an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people.”

“The support for the Palestinian struggle among Irish people is overwhelming.

“We aim to organise this support locally and pressure all levels of the political class into taking decisive actions.

“It is evident that our peoples support for Palestine is not represented by this government, who are failing the people of Gaza, we aim to help change this.”

Lewis says that he has tabled a motion to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council calling on the local authority to join in the international boycott, and divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel.

“It is time we embraced our history and heritage, one that stands against tyranny and oppression, and take a stand with Palestine.”

Dr Ibrahim Natil, a Palestinian academic and activist currently lecturing in politics and development at Dublin City University is also a member of the group.

“The Palestinian people are expected from the Irish government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill and recognise the State of Palestine as Sweden government has done for many years now,” says Dr Natil.

“This will encourage other European countries to follow Irish efforts and promotion of justice and peace for Palestine.

“In other words, Ireland should not act only but also leads this process, owing to its history of struggle, justice and statehood building.

“Recognition of Palestine will acknowledge the Palestinians’ legitimate rights towards freedom and self-determination based on the international law”.

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