Protests take place in Kilkenny over Gaza flotilla attacks
Banners on the march included Labour, Sinn Fein and SIPTU, along with Irish and Palestinian flags
Kilkenny groups marched together through Kilkenny City last week as part of emergency protests across the country, after news came through that the Gaza food aid flotilla was attacked by Israeli forces.
Banners on the march included Labour, Sinn Fein and SIPTU, along with Irish and Palestinian flags. Around 100 people gathered at very short notice outside James Stephens Barracks, with placards calling for an end to genocide, and supporting the peacekeeping role of the Irish Defence Force.
The marchers called on the international community to ‘Get the Food in’, to impose sanctions, and to use every means to secure the release of 22 Irish citizens of all ages seized illegally by the IDF from the flotilla along with all other prisoners.
They marched past County Hall in strong winds and rain and on to the Parade, to applause from onlookers.
Throughout Wednesday and later in the week, the small boats of the aid flotilla, carrying aid including baby foods and basic medication, were attacked with explosives and flares and on Wednesday and Thursday were boarded by heavily-armed Israeli Defence Force (IDF) militants.
The boats, sailing within international law, in open water at the time and were being tracked online by thousands of supporters. Out of 44 small boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, by last Thursday evening only one remained free to push onwards towards the coast of Gaza. Some of the crews were held in Israeli jails for lenthy periods, with many describing inhumane conditions and treatment.
Cllr Sean O’Hargain, (Labour), MEP Kathleen Funchion (Sinn Fein), and Katharine Larkin (Kilkenny Community Palestine Solidarity Group) spoke on the need for urgent action by Government and the EU to block arms exports to Israel, and condemned all attacks on civilians. The gathering ended with a moving rendition of the Lonely Boatman on tin whistle, in tribute to the last small boats of the flotilla that were sailing towards Gaza.
Organisers say all are welcome to join the weekly vigil supported by Kilkenny Community Palestine Solidarity Group at the Parade from 5.30pm to 6pm.