Large Irish Republican Bloc Joins Palestinian Solidarity March In Dublin
Saturday, May 19th saw tens of thousands of people take to the streets of Dublin to join the ‘National Demonstration for Palestine’. The massive march and rally was organised by the Irish Palestine Solidarity Committee to mark the 77th anniversary of the start of the Nakba - the name that Palestinians have given to the Zionist ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their native lands.
In the days running up to Saturday’s march, Israel intensified its aerial bombardment of Gaza and began amassing military forces in preparation for a renewed ground offensive into the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has set the context for this renewed onslaught by declaring that Gaza is to be “totally destroyed” and that Palestinians will be “encouraged” to “leave in great numbers to third countries”. His words amount to a public admission by the Israeli government that it intends to ethnically cleanse up to 2.3 million Palestinians from Gaza.
“From Ireland to Palestine Occupation is a Crime!” - Republican Bloc crosses O’Connell Bridge
Irish republicans have stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people for decades. That solidarity was displayed once again on Saturday when large numbers marched with the Republican Bloc from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square to the gates of Leinster House on Kildare Street.
With its sea of Irish tricolours and Palestinian flags, the Republican Bloc was one of the most visible sections of the entire march. And with its passionate chanting and singing it was also one of the most vocal. A powerful rendition of ‘Óró 'Sé do bheatha 'bhaile’ being sung by the bloc has already been viewed more than 100,000 times online.
“USA - Israel, how many kids have you killed today?” - Republican Bloc echoes the chants of anti-Vietnam War activists
Asserting the international nature of the anti-imperialist struggle, the Republican Bloc marched behind a large banner calling for an end to the occupations of both Ireland and Palestine. Images of this ‘Occupation No More’ banner have been regularly carried by major national and international media outlets in recent months.
The numbers of people joining the Republican Bloc has grown steadily since the first bloc was formed at last October’s IPSC demonstration in Dublin. While the bloc began as a joint initiative by Éirígí and the 1916 Societies, it is now being regularly joined by other groups and non-aligned republicans.
The Republican Bloc will be on the streets of Dublin again for the next major IPSC demonstration. Join us and add your voice to the demand for freedom for Palestine and freedom for Ireland.