Thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors have attended a rally in Belfast.
Protesters congregated at Writers Square on Sunday prior to embarking on a march along Royal Avenue towards Belfast City Hall. The event encompassed a succession of speeches, spanning approximately two hours.
Comparable demonstrations have transpired throughout the United Kingdom over the weekend, encompassing London, Glasgow, and Manchester.
Furthermore, approximately 100 individuals participated in a vigil in Belfast, expressing solidarity with Israel. These protests materialized one week subsequent to an unparalleled assault by Hamas on Israel.
Combatants affiliated with the Palestinian militant organization infiltrated communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip, resulting in the loss of life of no less than 1,300 individuals.
Approximately 2,300 individuals have tragically lost their lives in Gaza as a result of Israel’s retaliatory aerial bombardments, with the possibility of a subsequent ground offensive looming over the region.
- Stay tuned for live updates on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
- Gain insight into the current events unfolding in Israel and Gaza, along with an analysis of the underlying reasons behind this escalation.
- Delve into a comprehensive explanation of the historical context surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Approximately 1.1 million individuals residing in the northern region of Gaza have been instructed by the Israeli military to relocate to the south, with Israel assuring the provision of a secure passage for a limited duration.
However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has strongly condemned the directive to transfer hospital patients from the northern area, asserting that it is tantamount to a sentence of death.
Prominent figures such as Pat Sheehan from Sinn Féin and Gerry Caroll from People Before Profit were among those who delivered speeches to the assembled crowd.
Furthermore, the event witnessed the presence of representatives from the Northern Ireland Council for Racial Equality, ICTU, Unison, and the Jews for Palestine group.
Upon the march’s arrival at Belfast City Hall, a few altercations ensued as protesters encountered a small group of pro-Israel supporters.
‘Worried for my family’
Saeb Shaath expressed that his family, residing in Gaza, has been deprived of essential resources such as water, electricity, and fuel.
He further conveyed the tragic loss of four members from his own family.
While appreciative of the support demonstrated by the people of Belfast, he also expressed disappointment towards Western leaders.
Shaath firmly asserted that the ongoing situation in Gaza constitutes a war crime, one that is endorsed by certain British and American politicians.
‘Deeply concerned’
The Tánaiste of Ireland, Micheál Martin, has expressed his deep concern regarding the current situation in Israel and Gaza. Mr Martin stated that the decision made by the Israeli military to instruct the entire civilian population in the north of the Gaza strip to move southward for their own safety is highly dangerous and impractical. He further added that while Hamas has displayed brutal criminality and a complete disregard for human life, including the lives of their fellow Palestinians, it is crucial to differentiate between Hamas and Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Mr Martin emphasized that Israel has the right to defend itself from attack, but it must do so within the confines of international humanitarian law.
In a meeting held in Paris on Sunday evening, the Taoiseach of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, discussed the possibility of collaborating to evacuate citizens from Gaza, as it faces the threat of a ground invasion by Israeli forces.
The Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, has expressed deep concern regarding the current situation in Israel and Gaza. Mr. Varadkar has stated that there are approximately 40 Irish citizens in Gaza who are either UN aid workers or hold dual citizenship. Arrangements are being made to evacuate them if they wish to leave.
Tragically, an Irish-Israeli woman named Kim Damti lost her life in the recent Hamas attack at a music festival. The 22-year-old was last seen at the Supernova music festival in Re’im, located in southern Israel, on the previous Saturday.
In addition, Tom Hand, originally from Dublin, shared the heartbreaking news that his eight-year-old daughter, Emily, was killed in the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Be’eri last Saturday.
Mr.Hand informed CNN that his daughter had gone to stay at her friend’s house in the kibbutz near Gaza on Friday night, and it took him two days to learn of her tragic fate.
During the vigil for Israel held at Belfast City Hall on Sunday, Mike McNally, the organizer and director of March of Life UK, emphasized that the event provided an opportunity to pray for Israel and all the innocent lives that have been lost.
Mr. McNally expressed the significance of “standing in solidarity with our Jewish community within our locality”, a considerable number of whom he acknowledged were experiencing apprehension due to the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the aftermath of recent occurrences.
Mr. McNally conveyed his deep sorrow regarding the ongoing conflict, emphasizing his aspiration for a reduction in the loss of human lives in the forthcoming weeks.
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