Thousands of people have taken part in a pro-Palestine protest in Dublin calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the Government to impose sanctions on Israel.
The people taking part marched from the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square to the Department of Foreign Affairs in St Stephen's Green, where a rally was held.
The "National Demonstration for Palestine" was organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) as part of a global day of action.
Today's march on the streets of the capital was the 13th that has been held since 14 October to oppose the extent of the Israeli offensive in Gaza following the attacks by Hamas on 7 October.
There were chants of "free, free Palestine" and "ceasefire now". The organisers said the march was supported by up to 70 civil society organisations.
Political parties, trade unions, students and community groups from across the country were among those taking part in the protest.
The scene outside the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin where a rally is taking place following the Palestine solidarity march pic.twitter.com/Dl8rO9Xcuy
— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalOBrien_) January 13, 2024
The IPSC is calling for an end to what it describes as "Israel’s genocidal war on the Palestinian people in Gaza" and for the Government to impose sanctions on Israel.
The march also took place against the backdrop of the International Court of Justice hearings on South Africa’s genocide filing against Israel.
The Chairperson for the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign said the main call from the protest was for "action from the Irish government."
Zoe Lawlor accused the Government of being "very out of step with the Irish public" and she called for sanctions to be imposed on Israel by Ireland.
She said it was "really disappointing and in fact shameful that the Irish government didn't support the South African submission" to the International Court of Justice this week.
"We want sanctions on Israel, we want the Occupied Territories Bill to be enacted, we want the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill to be enacted."
Ms Lawlor also said she believes the Irish government should be calling for a military embargo on Israel and it should be referring Israel to the International Court of Justice.
The IPSC described today's protest as "the biggest Irish protest for Palestine in history."
In Cork, around 1,000 people also took part in a protest march and rally. Hundreds of protesters also lined bridges over the River Lee in the city centre, as members of Naomh Óga Chorcaí rowed seven currachs from the Marina at Páirc Uí Chaoimh upstream to Shandon Bridge.
Demonstrations were also held in Ennis, Longford, Killorglin, Carrick-on-Shannon and Derry.
Thousands take to London streets to support Palestine
Elsewhere, thousands of people marched to Parliament Square in London, in support of Palestine.
Demonstrators converged on Queen Victoria Street before making their way along Fleet Street.
It came after the Metropolitan Police said hundreds of officers had been deployed to patrol the event.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald told the crowd in London that Palestinian freedom is possible.
She said: "When I say this, standing in London, in common cause with you, (having) walked our own journey out of conflict, building peace for 25 years, this can happen.
"This must happen and we will ensure that it does."
The protest comes after the RAF and the US carried out airstrikes against Houthi bases in Yemen.
The Iran-backed rebel group has repeatedly targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea in the wake of Israel's war against Hamas following the 7 October attack.
Read more:
Explained: Ireland's position on the genocide case against Israel
