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Thousands take part in march for Palestine in Dublin

The march was organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign
The march was organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Around 10,000 people have taken part in a march in support of Palestine on the streets of Dublin.

The National March for Palestine, organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, began at Parnell Square this afternoon and made its way to Leinster House for a rally outside the Dáil.

Today's march is the 16th national march since October 2023.

Groups representing trade unions, political parties as well as churches took part, carrying banners to show their group's support for the cause.

Thousands attend a Palestine solidarity march in Dublin
Members of trade unions and political parties were involved in the march in Dublin

A group from GAA Palestine also took part in the march after the club made a call for those who are in Dublin for the All-Ireland hurling final tomorrow to show their support.

The marchers have been chanting "Ban all Trade with Israel" and "Genocide Bonds No More" which refers to their call for the Central Bank to stop facilitating the sale of Israeli government bonds.

A stage was set up outside Buswells Hotel on Molesworth Street, across the road from Leinster House.

The organisers of today's National March for Palestine described the turnout for the event as "off the scale" and said they believe it "could be up to 100,000".

Protesters carry flags at the National March for Palestine in Dublin
Protesters made their way from Parnell Square towards Leinster House

They said it took more than 15 minutes for the march to pass one point at Cuffe Street on its way to Leinster House.

The organisers said the purpose of the march was to "protest the Irish Government’s absolute refusal to hold Israel accountable for a genocide in which the apartheid state has slaughtered more than 58,000 Palestinians".

They said the march called for the Central Bank to stop facilitating the sale of Israeli government bonds and called on the Government to pass the full Occupied Territories Bill including goods and services.

Protesters also sought an end to the use of Irish airspace for transporting weapons, and for the Irish Government to enact sanctions to hold Israel accountable.

Protesters take part in the National Demonstration for Palestine
Protesters called for the Central Bank to stop facilitating the sale of Israeli government bonds

Dunnes Stores striker Mary Manning spoke at the rally, 41 years to the day after she refused to handle the sale of grapefruit from South Africa, in protest against the country’s apartheid regime.

Two survivors of Israel's attacks on Gaza, Marah Nijim and Mohamed Migdad, also spoke as well as Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon, Director of the Irish Traveller Movement Bernard Joyce and Conor O'Neill of the Pass the Occupied Territories Bill Campaign.