Large Gaza vigils held in Dublin and around the country

national | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Thursday December 31, 2009 18:56 by Fintan Lane - IPSC Media Officer media at ipsc dot ie

More than 100 members and supporters of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) took part in a vigil on the Ha'penny Bridge in central Dublin at 2pm today. Similar vigils were held in many other parts of the country, including Belfast, Derry, Scarrif, Mullingar and Sligo. More will be held over the weekend.

The vigil was held in memory of the dead and in solidarity with those who continue to endure the Israeli siege of Gaza. More than 1,400 people, including over 300 children, were murdered during the Israeli assault on Gaza at this time last year. Gaza had much of its infrastructure destroyed or damaged and it remains sealed off by the Israelis, with even the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michael Martin, recently denied entry.

The Israeli government is refusing to allow basic supplies into the area. To help alleviate the suffering an aid convoy is currently on its way to Gaza, though its progress has been hindered by the Egyptian authorities. 10 Irish people and three Irish vehicles are participating in the convoy.

The vigil in Dublin was also in solidarity with those traveling on the convoy and with the more than 1,300 international solidarity delegates now in Cairo who were prevented by Egypt from crossing into Gaza for today's 'Gaza Freedom March'. Several Irish people are among those refused entry to Gaza over the past week.

Speaking at the vigil, Freda Hughes, spokesperson for the IPSC, said: "The mass killings of civilians in Gaza last year must be remembered and highlighted if we are to avoid similar massacres in the future. More than 300 children were killed - what happened was a disgrace and those who did it should be isolated by the international community. All of the 1,400 deaths were unacceptable but the killing of so many children shows how savage and outrageous this Israeli operation was. Worse still, the siege of Gaza continues and basic materials are blockaded by the Israelis, including certain types of baby food."

She continued: "We're also here in solidarity with those Irish people currently on the Gaza aid convoy and those international solidarity activists who were unable to enter Gaza today from Egypt. The IPSC is determined to build links with the people of Gaza and we send them our good wishes today. The siege of Gaza must end now."

[Photos by Kev - more to follow from around the country as we receive them)