Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign call for the inspection of all war planes through Ireland and Irish airspace

On Wednesday, May 29, hundreds gathered on Kildare street outside Leinster House to protest the genocide in Palestine and Ireland's role in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) held a peaceful demonstration, calling for the end of military aircraft, mainly from the United States, from flying through Irish airspace or landing in Shannon Airport without inspection for munitions or weapons.

Members and supporters of IPSC met outside Ireland’s parliament building just before noon with drums, megaphones and Palestine’s flag chanting messages of “Free Palestine”.

Stand for Rafah protest at Leinster House by Miguel Ruiz

Many carried signs with phrases like “Sanctions Now” or “All Eyes Are On Rafah”. As time went on the crowd grew larger, filling the footpath and spilling out into the street. By 12:06 p.m. the crowd had doubled in size with around 200 voices chanting “Free Free Palestine” and “USA, how many children have you killed today?” At the peak of the protest, around 450 people had gathered.

The IPSC was formed in 2001 as a human rights and community activists organisation “in partnership with Palestinians now living in Ireland to provide a voice for Palestine in Ireland.”

Other groups presents included Mothers Against Genocide, ROSA - Social Feminist Movement and the Resistance Choir.

The event attracted a multitude of high-profile speakers , including Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, who spoke about how Ireland is in the position to promote peace. “That means ensuring we are not directly or indirectly part of the problem and part of the breaches of international human rights law,” she said.

Stand for Rafah protest at Leinster House by Miguel Ruiz

Higgins' speech was followed by Senator Frances Black, who shared similar sentiments.

"Ireland can lead on this. We the people did it in the 80s and we can do it again…We must never ever give up on the Palestinian people ever," she said, referencing the protests that occurred in the 1980s when Dunnes Stores workers went on strike in opposition to the sale of South African goods during The Apartheid.

IPSC member Martin O’Quigley spoke on how the conflict in Gaza is irrefutably a genocide, one which he claimed Ireland is facilitating by allowing American aircraft to operate through our airports.

“By allowing American planes through Shannon we are facilitating genocide…what the senators are doing with the bill today is to stop all complacency which should never have happened anyway."

Musician Mary Coughlan also made an appearance, singing an anti-war song written by a German soldier in the aftermath of  World War II. She ended her performance by chanting “Free Free Palestine” with the crowd.

Stand for Rafah protest at Leinster House by Miguel Ruiz

Also speaking were Palestinians from Gaza who have relocated to Ireland. "After six months in the war I had a chance because my brother is Irish, to come here to Ireland," said one protestor named Razan. "I just came here and it’s a miracle to be alive right now.”

While they acknowledged Ireland's recognition of the State of Palestine, they iterated that more action needs to be taken.

Stand for Rafah protest at Leinster House by Miguel Ruiz

Protestors moved away from the footpath, filling Kildare Street and blocking oncoming traffic, chanting “from the river to sea, Palestine will be free”. Proceedings concluded as planned at 2 p.m. Palestinian music blared through speakers, with the crowd pulling in closer, dancing and waving their flags in the air.