Northern Ireland

Rallies held across Ireland to protest air strikes, blockade, of Gaza

Protestors gathered in Belfast to call for an end to the Israeli bombing and blockade of Gaza. Picture by Declan Roughan /Press Eye
Protestors gathered in Belfast to call for an end to the Israeli bombing and blockade of Gaza. Picture by Declan Roughan /Press Eye

Rallies calling for an end to Israel's bombing and blockade of Gaza were held across Ireland on Saturday, including a march to, and rally outside, the BBC in Belfast.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill, who attended a rally in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, said she wanted to express "solidarity with the Palestinian people".

Ms O'Neill called on the Israeli government to stop the bombing and blockade of Gaza, "the occupation, illegal settlements and apartheid".

"The international community must step up and call for a full, immediate ceasefire," she wrote on social media. "This is not self-defence. It is oppression of an entire population."

Read more: Ireland's support for Palestine: An explainer

Protestors marched from Belfast City Hall to the BBC. Picture by Declan Roughan /Press Eye
Protestors marched from Belfast City Hall to the BBC. Picture by Declan Roughan /Press Eye

Hamas killed at least 1,400 people in an attack on Israeli-controlled territory just over two weeks ago, and took more than 200 hostage. In response, Israel launched air strikes and blocked the movement of supplies into Gaza. More than 4,000 people have been killed.

Read more:

  • Irish citizens stranded in Gaza plea for help as Israel ground offensive approaches
  • Tensions ease as Israel reopens main Gaza crossing for Palestinian labourers

Protestors in Belfast gathered at City Hall then marched on the BBC's Belfast headquarters on Ormeau Avenue. It was claimed by organisers the broadcaster was "biased" against Palestinians, with some among the approximately 500 protestors shouting "BBC, shame on you".

In a statement, the BBC said it had provided audiences around the world with coverage and first-hand testimony "of the atrocities committed by Hamas, and the suffering in Gaza".

The rally in Belfast heard claims of bias against Palestinians. Picture by Declan Roughan /Press Eye
The rally in Belfast heard claims of bias against Palestinians. Picture by Declan Roughan /Press Eye

"We have made clear the devastating human cost to civilians living in Israel and Gaza, and the unprecedented nature of what has happened," the spokesperson said.

"We have reported on the atrocities committed by Hamas in their assault on Israel and have heard many accounts from survivors of these attacks and family members of the victims, reflecting the trauma they are suffering."

The BBC has faced criticism for its coverage from the Israeli government. 

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood attended a rally in Derry organised by the city's Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign branch.

Catherine Hutton, from the organisation, said  it was time "for the [Israeli] occupation to end".

"Right now what's happening in Gaza, I have never in my own lifetime seen anything like it," Ms Hutton said, adding the UK government should introduce sanctions and hold Israel accountable "for war crimes and crimes against humanity that are taking place".

In Dublin, thousands of protestors gathered at the Garden of Remembrance and travelled to Merrion Square. A second march witnessed several thousand people travel from O'Connell Street to Shelbourne Road, the home of the Israeli embassy.

Protests were also held in Cork and other cities.