For third day running, activists protest the Israeli assault on Gaza

For the third day running Palestinian and Palestine solidarity activists demonstrated in Dublin against the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza which has now left over 320 Gazans dead, and over 1,000 injured. This evening's protest was staged outside the Israeli and United States Embassies and was attended by over 300 people - many of whom have been directly affected by the tragic events in Gaza. There were loud and angry calls for Israel to cease its attacks on the Gaza strip and to lift the siege imposed two years ago.

Marie Crawley, Chair of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) said: "These barbaric assaults prove one thing, that the Israeli government is not interested in a peaceful solution to the conflict - it is, despite the weasel words of its representatives worldwide, interested only in the gradual killing off of the Palestinian people. When one watches with abject horror the events of the past few days, one is reminded of the words of Israel's Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai who in March this year threatened Gaza with a 'holocaust'. We are also very concerned that there will soon be a ground invasion of Gaza which will only mean more death and misery for the people of Gaza".

"Given that Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin has today again issued a strong statement of condemnation over the attacks, we once again urge the Irish Government to use its influence in Europe and the UN to push for stronger measures against Israel, measures such as the suspension of Israel from the Euro-Med Agreement, and international sanctions aimed at forcing Israel to respect international law. We also encourage people in Ireland and Civil Society to support the Palestinian call for an economic, cultural, sporting and academic boycott of Israel", Miss Crawley continued.

Miss Crawley also stated that: "We in the IPSC once again extend our deepest sympathies and solidarity to all those who have suffered at the hands of Israel in Palestine, particularly over the past few days in Gaza. And we encourage all defenders of human rights to attend the National Demonstration in solidarity with Gaza in Dublin on Saturday 3rd January. The demo starts at 1pm at the Central Bank Plaza on Dame Street, and will march to the Dail, the offices of the EU and end up at the Spire on O'Connell Street."

A demonstration was also held at Belfast City Hall today, which saw up to 100 people in attendance.

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Apologies for the crapness of the photos, I hope Paula (and others) will post better ones soon.

'Besieging' the Israeli Embassy

A section of the crowd

A section of the crowd

Throwing Shoes at Bush! Great fun!