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The Journal
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Thousands attend pro-Palestinian rally in Dublin as ‘Palestine Action' protesters arrested across UK
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE have taken part in a pro-Palestinian rally in Dublin, while dozens have been arrested around the UK at protests in support of proscribed group Palestine Action. Today's rally in Dublin 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 Irish 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. It also called for an end to the use of Irish airspace for the transport of weapons to the region. 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 group 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.' 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. Woman fixes rug made by Palestine women living in Ireland - each square represents a child who has been killed in the conflict 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. Doyle told the PA news agency: 'Each square represents 10 children. Their voices have been lost to the world forever. Advertisement '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.' In the UK today, demonstrations were held in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Truro as part of a campaign coordinated by Defend Our Juries. Protesters wrote the message 'I oppose genocide I support Palestine Action' on placards before being surrounded by police officers at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square, London. People attend a protest in Parliament Square in support of Palestine Action PA PA Officers confiscated the placards and searched the bags of those arrested, with some protesters being carried away by police while others were led away in handcuffs. The Metropolitan Police said 55 people were arrested in Parliament Square under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for displaying placards in support of Palestine Action. Eight people were arrested near Truro Cathedral in Cornwall after protesters gathered to show support for Palestine Action. Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement that around 30 protesters were involved in the 'peaceful' Defend Our Juries demonstration. The force went on: 'Eight people, two men and six women, were arrested on suspicion of offences under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. They remain in police custody.' A woman who was detained by police in Parliament Square said: 'We demand that Palestine Action is de-proscribed. 'Our government is not only arming a genocide, they are using terrorism laws to silence people who speak out. 'Palestine Action are campaigning for peace. They are dismantling weapons factories.' As he was carried away by police, a protester in London said: 'Freedom of speech is dead in this country, shame on the Metropolitan Police.' A small number of counter-protesters in Parliament Square held up placards which said 'there is no genocide but there are 50 hostages still captive'. Metropolitan Police officers remove a person from a protest in Parliament Square PA PA It comes ahead of a High Court hearing on Monday in which the co-founder of Palestine Action, Huda Ammori, will ask for the green light to challenge the Home Secretary's decision to ban the group under anti-terror laws. The ban means that membership of, or support for, the direct action group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. The Metropolitan Police said 70 people were arrested at similar demonstrations in Parliament Square over the past two weekends. The move to ban the organisation came after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on 20 June, an incident claimed by Palestine Action, which police said caused about £7 million (€8m) worth of damage. British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action three days later, saying that the vandalism of the planes was 'disgraceful' and the group had a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage'.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Thousands take part in pro-Palestinian rally in Dublin
Thousands of people have taken part in a pro-Palestinian rally calling on the Irish Government to implement sanctions on Israel. 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 Dail rose for the summer recess. The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) accused the Irish 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. It also called for an end to the use of Irish airspace for the transport of weapons to the region. The group 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. Speaking ahead of the protest, 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.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Thousands attend pro-Palestinian rally in Dublin
Thousands of people have taken part in a pro-Palestinian rally calling on the Irish Government to implement sanctions on Israel. Saturday's rally saw demonstrators march from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square to Leinster House. Advertisement 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 Irish 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. It also called for an end to the use of Irish airspace for the transport of weapons to the region. Advertisement The group 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. Speaking ahead of the protest, 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.' Advertisement 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. Advertisement '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.'
Irish Post
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Post
Trinity College Dublin formally cuts all ties with Israel
TRINITY College Dublin has announced it will cut ties with all Israeli universities and companies. The decision, made by the university's board this week, follows growing public outrage in Ireland over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A taskforce, formed last year, recommended full divestment from Israel. 'This taskforce was created following the board-approved resolution statement after the encampment on campus last year,' Trinity said in a public statement. Chaired by former High Court President Mary Irvine, the taskforce met over a dozen times, reviewed a variety of evidence and received nearly a hundred written submissions from students and staff. 'I want to thank Mary Irvine and the other members of the taskforce who contributed significant time and expertise over the past year to consider these important issues so thoroughly,' the college said. This total divestment will see Trinity end its remaining academic exchange agreements with Israeli universities and stop it from starting any new partnerships with Israeli institutions or businesses. Current Erasmus exchange deals with Bar Ilan University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem will remain in place until they're due to end in 2026. In its collaborative research, the report noted the 'college is engaged in a number of EU-funded research consortia which include Israeli partners. There is no evidence to associate any of these with breaches of international humanitarian law or human rights violations. The taskforce accepts that College cannot readily extract itself from these agreements.' In regard to the length of the divestment, 'these will be enacted for the duration of the ongoing violations of international and humanitarian law,' the statement said, noting that the decision will remain under review. The Board is expected to revisit the report later this year. Zoe Lawlor of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign hailed Trinity's decision in a statement, calling it a 'landmark step in academic rejection of apartheid Israel's regime'. Dublin's recent formal recognition of Palestine, alongside Spain and Norway, cemented Ireland's position as one of Europe's most vocal critics of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Ireland's support for South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice has drawn sharp backlash from Israeli officials. Late last year, Israel closed its embassy in Dublin, accusing the Irish government of stoking antisemitism, claims firmly rejected by both the Taoiseach and President. As one of Ireland's most prominent academic institutions, Trinity's actions could set a precedent for other universities at home and abroad. With solidarity movements and divestment campaigns happening across Britain and Europe, this could influence others who are pressing similar demands on their universities. Trinity's taskforce will present a final report later this year. Campus protest on college green (Image: @TrinityBDS @tcdsu via See More: Gaza, Israel, Mary Irvine, Trinity College Dublin
The Herald Scotland
04-06-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Trinity College Dublin to divest from links with Israeli universities and firms
Pro-Palestinian activists have called on other Irish universities to follow suit. 🇵🇸TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN JUST AGREED TO FULL DIVESTMENT FROM ISRAEL AND THE CUTTING OF ALL ACADEMIC TIES🇵🇸 — Jenny 🇵🇸 (@jennymaguir) June 4, 2025 Last May, students formed an encampment at Trinity in protest against a 214,285 euro fine imposed on the students' union after a series of demonstrations about fees and rent, and the university's ties to Israel. Following engagement with the protesters, the college dropped the fine and said it would complete a divestment from Israeli companies that have activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and appear on the UN blacklist. The students dismantled the camp after Trinity said it would 'endeavour' to divest in other Israeli companies, noting that its supplier list contains just one Israeli company which remained in place until March this year for contractual reasons. On Wednesday, Trinity's board received a report from a taskforce set up last October to examine academic and institutional links, including with Israel. Although the report is to return to the board later this year for its final consideration, based on 'the strength of the evidence shared', the board accepted the report's recommendations in relation to links with Israel. This included recommendations that the college enter into no Erasmus, collaborative research or supply agreements with Israeli universities, institutions or firms. The college has two current Erasmus+ exchange agreements, on an inbound basis only since September 2023, with Israeli universities: the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which ends in July 2025, and Bar Ilan University, which ends in July 2026. The taskforce also found that the college is engaged in a number of EU-funded research consortia which include Israeli partners, and – although none of these were found to be breaching international humanitarian law or human rights – the taskforce said Trinity should not seek to participate in any new institutional research agreements involving Israeli participation. It also said that Trinity should look to 'align itself' with like-minded universities and bodies in an effort to influence EU policy concerning Israel's participation in such collaborations. The taskforce noted that Trinity had divested from Israeli companies on the UN blacklist and has no current supply contracts with Israeli companies. But it recommended that the college should fully divest from all companies headquartered in Israel and that it should not enter into any future supply contracts with Israeli firms. The taskforce accepted that the college's existing intellectual property-related contracts are acceptable as they are not collaborative, but said no new commercial relationships with Israeli entities should be set up. Chairwoman of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) Zoe Lawlor said the decision by Trinity was a 'landmark step in academic rejection of apartheid Israel's regime'. She called on more Irish universities to do the same and paid tribute to students, academics and staff who campaigned for this outcome. 'Trinity will now stand on the right side of history, as it did with South African apartheid in the past, but it is nevertheless disappointing that it took so long to get to this position,' she said. 'We echo the view of TCD Students' Union that it remains disappointing that Trinity has not withdrawn from ongoing projects involving Israeli partners who provide military technology and training that will run until 2029. 'Nonetheless, we celebrate each and every step towards de-normalising relations with the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel. We call on the Irish Government and the EU to pay heed to the changing climate, and to act to bring an end to all Irish state complicity with the apartheid regime.' The taskforce, chaired by former president of the High Court Mary Irvine, met on 14 occasions and received 77 submissions in total.
