Hundreds turn out for Cork's 12th Palestinian solidarity march
Solidarity Parade, Cork The Palestine Cork On Campaign Palestine Attending Dan Linehan The People Rally For Grand Picture:
Despite the weather conditions, hundreds of people turned out for a march in support of Palestine in Cork City centre on Saturday afternoon, the 12th such march in as many weeks.
Organised by the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign (CPSC), this week's march was themed "Unmute Gaza", with the group calling for the Government to place sanctions on Israel and pass the Occupied Territories Bill.
Speaking at the rally, Martin Shiel, co-chair of the CPSC, said "action" is required "to stop Israel".
"The Israeli government has made it clear that it will continue its destruction of Gaza and the ethnic cleansing of the West Bank no matter what formula of words are used to call a halt to its mass killings," said Mr Sheil.
"Micheál Martin said last Thursday that sanctions greater than travel bans on settler extremists are required.
"That is correct. And he has the Occupied Territories Bill, which he was happy for his party to support before being in government, ready to go."
He added: "Cork City Council unanimously voted for implementation of the Occupied Territories Bill in October 2022. Further delays are unacceptable — the Tanáiste must implement the Occupied Territories Bill now."
A candlelit vigil also took place this evening in Clonakilty with further events planned for Sunday in Bandon, Carrigaline and Cobh.