Palestinian Deputy Ambassador To Address West Donegal (dobhair) Public Meeting

donegal | anti-war / imperialism | event notice Sunday January 11, 2009 19:07 by Tír Chonaill - éirígí

Solidarity with Gaza public meeting

éirígí have organised a public meeting in Dobhair, West Donegal on Saturday 17th January at 6pm in solidarity with the people of Gaza and the Palestinian people and their cause in general

The Palestinian deputy ambasador, a spokesperson for the ICTU and Brendean MacCionnaith from éirígí will address the meeting

The Palestinian Deputy Ambassador to Ireland Yusuf Dorkhom is set to address a public meeting in Dobhair next weekend to highlight the ongoing siege and bombardment of Gaza by Israel.

The public meeting, which has been organised by éirígí Tír Chonaill, takes place on Saturday January 17 in Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Dobhair at 6pm. Also addressing the meeting will be Ciaran Campbell from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and Brendean MacCionnaith from éirígí .

Tír Chonaill éirígí activist Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig said: "The ongoing slaughter of Palestinian civilians by the Israeli military in Gaza is a heinous war crime that must be ended. To date more than six hundred Palestinians have been killed, more than two hundred of whom were children, while over three thousand people have also been injured. The Israeli military have deliberately bombed civilian targets. They have launched air and artillery attacks against residential areas, family homes, shopping districts, mosques, tv stations, universities, ambulances as well as doctors and other medical personnel. Their latest outrages included the bombing of three United Nations (UN) schools resulting in the deaths of over forty Palestinian civilians, including children, who had sought refuge there from the Israeli assault."

He added: "The reality of life in Gaza for the Palestinians is extremely harsh. Before this latest military assault by Israel, Palestinians were already suffering as a result of an inhuman 18 month siege by Israel of Gaza. They have had to endure regular military attacks bythe so called Israeli defence forces. The Israeli regime has prevented the repair and maintenance of the water service and electricity infrastructure by blocking the importation of spare parts. Through its air, sea and land blockade Israel has, and continues to, prevent necessary supplies such as food, fuel and medicines from reaching the people of Gaza. As a result, before this latest military assault took place, Gaza was already suffering a humanitarian crisis on a massive scale. That situation has now deteriorated immeasurably."

"The failure of International bodies such as the UN and the European Union to take any action against Israel is reprehensible. Those inLeinster House stand indicted also. While some politicians have condemned Israel the Twenty Six county government have refused to take any action against them. They must now move immediately to expel the Israeli ambassador, cut all ties with them and push the EU to do likewise."

He concluded: "We support the calls for an International boycott of Israel similar to the campaign which helped bring about the demise of the South African apartheid regime. Here in Donegal we must show the Palestinian people that we stand in solidarity with them and that we will take practical measures to assist them in their ongoing struggle for justice and freedom.."
ENDS