Northern Ireland

‘We refuse to stop talking about Palestine’, solidarity rally in Belfast told

Rally organised by Sinn Féin in Belfast city centre heard calls for an end to suffering of civilians in Gaza

The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid at the Palestine solidarity event in Belfast's Europa Hotel. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN (Mal McCann)
By Paul Ainsworth

There have been calls for a “permanent, unconditional ceasefire” in Gaza at a solidarity rally in Belfast in support of Palestinians under attack from Israel.

The event was organised by Sinn Féin and saw hundreds gather inside the Europa Hotel in Great Victoria Street demanding an end to Israel’s war in Gaza that has so far left almost 30,000 dead.

Israel launched a large-scale invasion of the Palestinian territory at the end of last October, following the attacks by Hamas on October 7 in which around 1,200 people were killed.

Sinn Féin MLA and national chairperson Declan Kearney spoke at the rally, alongside the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, and the Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Mustafa Barghouti, broadcast live from Ramallah in the West Bank.

Among those in attendance was British civil rights barrister, Michael Mansfield, KC, who represented those wrongly convicted of the IRA’s 1970s Guildford bombings.

Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney and Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid are greeted at Wednesday evening's rally. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN (Mal McCann)

Mr Kearney said the attacks on Gaza by Israel were being carried out “with the complicity of the US, Britain, and other western powers”.

“Across Ireland, Sinn Féin is introducing motions in councils which will require the compliance of ethical investment and purchasing practices,” he said, before highlighting his party’s call on the government in the Republic to join South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

South Africa is alleging that Israel is responsible for violations of the UN’s Genocide Convention in respect of its actions in Gaza, which Israel has denied.

Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and former MLA Fra McCann at the Palestine solidarity event. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN (Mal McCann)

Sinn Féin has faced criticism from some quarters for accepting an invitation to Washington DC this year for the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Mr Kearney said the party would use its access to US President Joe Biden to “demand an end to Israel’s war and promote Palestinian national freedom”.

“Whether at home or abroad, all Irish influence must be used on behalf of Palestine. We must not be silent. We will ensure the plight of the Palestinian people is spoken of, and heard everywhere. We refuse to stop talking about Palestine,” he added.

Human rights lawyer Michael Mansfield was among those at the Palestine solidarity event. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN (Mal McCann)

“The Palestinian people need the combined political and civic pressure of Ireland to be used at home, and internationally on their behalf.

“To achieve a permanent, unconditional ceasefire. The withdrawal of all Israeli forces from both Gaza and the West Bank. And an end to the human suffering of every Palestinian through effective initiatives, and campaigns.”