NOVANEWS
On Friday, November 29, éirígí marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People with a candle-lit vigil outside the Israeli Embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
The vigil, which began at 6pm, was called to show solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for national liberation and to demand the immediate release of Ahmad Sa’adat, the imprisoned General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who is being held in solidarity confinement by the Israeli state. The parallels between the Irish and Palestinian struggles were highlighted when those at the protest also demanded the immediate release of éirígí Newry spokesperson Stephen Murney, who has been interned by the British state for one year.
Those at the vigil carried the Palestinian and Irish national flags as well as éirígí and PFLP flags. Others held placards which read ‘Free Ahmad Sa’adat – Free Stephen Murney’ and ‘End the Occupation of Palestine’, while a large banner calling on passers-by to ‘Boycott Israeli Goods’ was illuminated by candles.
The vigil received a great response from rush hour motorists, much to the annoyance of the large force of Gardaí who were present. After the hour long event ended, the Special Branch stopped a car containing a number of people who had travelled from Wicklow to attend the protest. Such harassment remains the stock in trade of Ireland’s political police.
Speaking from Dublin, Cathaoirleach éirígí Brian Leeson said, “Tonight’s vigil is a display of ongoing solidarity from Ireland, with the Palestinian people in their continuing fight for freedom and justice. The people of Ireland and Palestine have common enemies in the forces of capitalism and imperialism who are trying to do dominate every region of this planet. Our joint struggle is the international fight of the working class for liberation. From Dublin, we send a message to the Palestine people today. You do not stand alone. Your struggle is our struggle, your fight is our fight, and your victory will be our victory.”
Leeson continued, “The similarities between the struggle in Ireland and Palestine are clear. Both people face a militarily superior occupying power that has no right to be in our respective countries. Both peoples have had to contend with a section of their revolutionary movement being bought off by the forces of occupation and have had to adapt accordingly. Both peoples have been subjected to exile, wrongful imprisonment and death for daring to assert their national and class rights.”
Leeson concluded, “Those of us in Ireland who are serious about fighting for national liberation and socialism are committed to the principle of international solidarity with other struggling peoples. The people of Palestine can count on our ongoing support and comradeship. For our part, we are committed to doing whatever we can to highlight, here in Ireland, the injustice of the Zionist occupation of Palestine and the realities of the Palestinian people’s ongoing fight for national self-determination.”
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