Limerick Rally calls for end to attacks on civilians in Lebanon

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report Friday August 04, 2006 02:53 by John Lannon

Up to 200 people gathered at a rally held in Limerick on Thursday 3rd August to protest against the killing of innocent civilians in the Israeli-Lebanon war. Those who attended included members of the Arab community in Limerick as well as concerned Irish people who wanted to express opposition to the ongoing death and destruction being caused mainly by Israeli forces.

Section of crowd attending Limerick rally

The rally was organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), UL Palestine Solidarity Society, and Amnesty International Limerick Group, and was supported by a wide range of other organisations. Speakers who addressed the crowd were unanimous in their call for an immediate ceasefire, and stressed the need for the Irish government to do all in its power to achieve this.

The rally was held at the lower end of O’Connell St., and started just after 7pm. It was addressed first by Haider El Mawla, a Lebanese man living in Limerick. Haider spoke of the awful suffering of women and children in South Lebanon, of people having to move from their homes, and of the fact that he himself has family living in danger in Beirut. Other speakers included John Lannon of Amnesty International, Jan O’Sullivan, Labour TD for Limerick, and Edward Horgan, former Irish Army Commandant and peace activist.

John Lannon said that what Israel was doing now appears to be direct, deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure. He said that such action violates international humanitarian law, and amounts to war crimes. He condemned killing of civilians by both sides in the conflict, but pointed out that the Israeli Defence Forces actions made it impossible not to focus on their actions. John also referred to the ongoing collective punishment being carried out by the Israeli’s in the Gaza Strip, saying it was out of proportion to abductions, risk from armed factions, or anything else the Palestinians have done.

In her speech, Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan echoed the description of events as violations of international law, and stressing the need for the Irish Government to do more. She said that she and her party were opposed to the use of Shannon airport as a stop for the US forces, and reminded the crowd that Ireland does have a role to play in trying to bring an end to the Middle East conflict.

In summing up, Zoe Lawlor of the IPSC said that one thing people can do to show their opposition to what Israel is doing is to stop buying Israeli products. She said that in Limerick many of the major supermarkets stock Israeli fruit, vegetables and herbs, and she asked people to inform customer services that they objected to the sale of these. She also encouraged people to contact their local TD, MEP, Senator or councillor with a demand that the Irish government call for immediate international sanctions against Israel.

Jan O'Sullivan TD addresses the Limerick rally