August 12th Belfast Demo

antrim | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Sunday August 13, 2006 13:42

by Caitlin ni Chonaill - Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Call to end Israeli Aggression

On Saturday 12th August in Belfast approximately 300 people marched through the crowded city centre to City Hall demonstrating against Israeli aggression in both Lebanon and Gaza. The demand was for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the carnage and an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and from the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The demonstration, which was organised in response to the call from the British-based 'Stop the War Coalition', was supported by ICTU, by Belfast Trades Council and by various other unions and organisations including the Belfast Anti-War Movement, the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Anti-Racist Network, Sinn Fein, the Socialist Workers' Party and others. It is the first trade-union sponsored demonstration to take place in Ireland since the Israeli reinvasion of Lebanon.

In front of City Hall, the ICTU organiser made an initial call for a minutes' silence for those killed in the conflict. Then those taking part heard impassioned speeches from five speakers. First up a member of Belfast Trades Council condemned the US created delay in getting a UN Resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire; then Sue Pentel, a Jewish member of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, reminded the crowd that Israeli aggression against Gaza still continues. She outlined Jewish opposition internationally to Israeli Government policy, described how a number of Jews had formally renounced their automatic right to Israeli citizenship in protest at the dispossession of the Palestinians and called for a campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against the State of Israel - in particular the suspension of the 'Euro-Mediterranean Agreement' under which Israel enjoys privileged trading arrangements with the European Union. Omar Faroukhi, a Palestinian refugee, driven out in 1948 and resident in Belfast outlined the deceits being fed to the public to justify Israeli expansion in the Middle East. He declared that the continuing injustice against the Palestinians was a fundamental cause of anti-western feeling in the Middle East. 'Solve the Palestinian question and peace will return'! Sara Boyce of the Anti-Racist Network described how racist ideas were integral to the Israeli and US project of controlling the peoples of the Middle East. Finally, to much acclaim, Goretti Horgan, one of those who on Thursday had raided the Derry offices of Raytheon, who supplies Israel with bombing components, passed humorous observations on their subsequent arrest. She called for support for those facing prosecution - a support which will certainly be forthcoming!

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Comments (6 of 6)

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by sea

Sun Aug 13, 2006 14:12

sounds great
well done to all those buildin the movement in belfast

Cork - Belfast and Dundalk

by MichaelY - iawm

Sun Aug 13, 2006 14:27

Well done and solidarity to all those who marched yesterday ....

The Dundalk march was very very lively - about 200 of us - banners from the IPSC (the Limerick section with their fantastic displays and the Dublin comrades), Labour Youth and the Dundalk section of the Labour Party, the Socialist Party, Sinn Fein, the SWP and a colourful contingent from the IAWM.
Speakers from the Lebanese, the Palestinian and the Dundalk-based Muslim community added their anger and political analysis of the horrors inflicted by the Israeli invasion and warmongering. Finally one of the most telling contribution came from an Irish doctor, who had spent a number of years in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon - she described the atrocious conditions under which displaced people lived....and asked all of the participants to do all they could to force the irish Government to take a stance in support of the Palestinian and Lebanese people.

Today, Sunday, a number of us will be supporting the 'Cake Sale/Afternoon' organised by the Lebanese Community in the Clonsilla Islamic Centre. All welcome. Every € will go to help with food and shelter the new Lebanese refugees engendered by the Israeli invasion.

Don't forget

by Stick - WP

Sun Aug 13, 2006 17:40

The Workers' Party was also represented at the Dundalk demo by a number of members, including local WP rep Peter Short.

ÓSF in the protest

by The Lark - Ógra Shinn Féin

Mon Aug 14, 2006 23:33

Over 50 ÓSF activists joined the protest on Saturday, many holding banners.

ÓSF Join Solidarity Protest

ÓSF activists hold SF Trade Union Banner

Israel Out, Britain Out!

Remember the history

by By historian

Tue Aug 15, 2006 00:27

So what ever happened to the old 'Labour can wait' slogan bit opportunist lads eh?

Seems OSF have decided to whip out the old radical card. I have also read that OSF have a say in SF decision-making shame they don't convince them to stop colluding with the British government and maybe even accept a true workers anti sectarian demand and call for the non-payment of water charges.

Well that is me being utopian

The omissions in this report...

by Just wondering

Tue Aug 15, 2006 17:07

seem to be as interesting as what it says.

The demo I was at in Belfast demanded ceasefires in the plural and held a minutes silence, in the words of the speaker who announced it, for the victims of current and past wars across the globe. Is there any reason to report this rally inaccurately?

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August 12th Belfast Demo

Comments (6 of 6)