The Israeli state is attempting to decimate all Palestinian life and its genocide has shocked and disgusted the world. The sight of starving children, of bodies piled high and of whole cities destroyed, has revulsed people and enraged them. This genocide is being aided and abetted by western imperialist governments.
The Starmer government continues to supply weapons to, and trade with Israel and wants to smash the Palestine solidarity movement by criminalising it. The Irish government presents itself as on the side of the Palestinian people even as it allows its airports to be used by the US military as they prop up Israel.
People Before Profit stands in full solidarity with the people of Palestine. We wish to build Palestine solidarity in every community, workplace and campus to break Ireland from the western imperialist alliance and implement Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. This means sanctioning the state of Israel, passing the Occupied Territories Bill without limitation, banning military planes from our skies North and South and making Ireland an apartheid free zone.
Palestine is the litmus test for our humanity and the frontline of the world in the fight for justice, equality and freedom. In our millions and our billions, we are all Palestinians.
Central Bank: a victory for people power
Israel removing its war bonds from the Irish Central Bank is a massive victory for people power. This was driven from below by thousands of activists who protested to end the complicity of the Irish state through the sale of these bonds. Shame on the Irish government who should have made this happen much sooner but instead bent over backwards to accommodate apartheid. Israel is now a pariah on the global stage. Victories like these can influence similar actions across the globe. Let’s keep up the pressure on all the complicit institutions still benefiting from and profiting from the genocide.
Workers Action Against Apartheid
We need workers and trade union action to break ties with apartheid Israel. There can be no "business as usual" while Israel commits genocide. Workers' action played an historic role in defeating apartheid in South Africa. The same can be done with Israeli apartheid. Across this island, workers should be empowered to take action for Palestine, whether organising walkouts or refusing to handle and/or manufacture Israeli goods. The trade unions, as well as ICTU, must be prepared to support and defend workers who take action against the apartheid regime.
'We will not be silenced!'
The Palestine solidarity movement in one of the largest international movements for justice the world has ever seen. But governments are trying to criminalise the movement. The British government are locking up anti-war activists in Palestine Action, while the PSNI target people in Belfast and Derry who defend these activists. Artists such as Bob Vylan and Kneecap are being attacked, while anti-war activists are being criminalised for trying to challenge war planes passing through Shannon Airport. We must defend all those who are being targeted for Palestine solidarity. We must continue to put feet on the street. People power, workers' struggle, and civil disobedience can help bring down apartheid (like it did in South Africa) and end the genocide. Palestine will never be criminalised or silenced.
Paul Murphy TD to join Global Sumud Flotilla
Paul Murphy joined the Global Sumud Flotilla to break the siege of Gaza. This is the largest ever flotilla, with more than 50 boats with participants from 44 countries, including Greta Thunberg and Susan Sarandon, as well as ten other Irish participants, set to sail. The first wave of boats departs from Barcelona, others sailed this week from Sicily, while Paul Murphy will join the wave leaving from Tunisia on Sunday. The boats will converge in the Mediterranean and sail towards Gaza.
An incredible 28,000 people applied to join this flotilla because they want to do whatever they can to help. That determination and solidarity of ordinary people, seen in the millions globally protesting for Palestine, contrasts sharply with the complicity of the world’s leaders, including the Irish government. Actions will be taking place across the country to coincide with the flotilla in the coming weeks.