National Boycott Israeli Goods Day of Action

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Thursday January 14, 2010 20:31 by Fintan Lane - IPSC media officer 087 1258325

On Saturday next

IRELAND-PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN

PRESS RELEASE, 14/1/10

National Boycott Israeli Goods Day of Action

On Saturday, 16 January, the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and its supporters are holding boycott events nationwide, asking shoppers not to buy Israeli goods in solidarity with the people of Gaza who are still under siege by the Israeli state.

Along with the IPSC, the following groups are supporting the Day of Action: Anti-War Ireland, éirígí, Federation of Student Islamic Societies, ICTU Trade Union Friends of Palestine, Irish Anti-War Movement, Palestinian Rights Initiative, Sinn Fein and UNITE Trade Union.

Freda Hughes, spokesperson for the IPSC, said: "We are calling on Irish consumers to follow the example set during the struggle against apartheid in South Africa by boycotting Israeli produce and isolating Israel until it ends its oppression of the Palestinian people. Israel's system of apartheid is most starkly obvious in its building of the apartheid wall in the West Bank and in its sealing off of the Gaza Strip, turning the area into an enclosed reservation. The people of Gaza are suffering terribly as a result of the siege and one would have to be heartless to stand by and do nothing. Concerned people in Ireland can make their voices heard by boycotting Israeli goods and services. We are asking consumers to choose alternatives to Israeli produce - there are plenty out there. Don't put your money into the Israeli war economy."

The following events are taking place around the country on Saturday.

Dublin: We will be assembling for a short rally at 2pm at the Spire on O’Connell Street, which will then be followed by us breaking into smaller groups and staging boycott actions at various locations around the city.

Limerick City: Assemble outside Brown Thomas, O’Connell Street, at 2pm. Boycott actions will follow around the city.

Cork City: Assemble at Daunt Square at 1pm. Actions will follow around the city.

Galway: Details to be announced. Check www.ipsc.ie

Arklow: Assemble at Peoples Park, Main St at 3.30pm. Boycott actions to follow.

Letterkenny: Assemble at Market Square at 1.30pm. Boycott actions to follow.

Newry: Details to be announced. Check www.ipsc.ie

PRESS RELEASE ENDS

For further information, phone Fintan Lane (IPSC media officer) at 087 1258325.