Ballina rallies in support of Palestine people
Some of those who took part in the Ballina Bridgil at the Ham Bridge in Ballina last Friday evening in support of the people of Palestine. The event was organised by Derek Graham and Jenny Graham. Picture: John O'Grady
Organisers have vowed to continue to hold vigils at the Upper Bridge in Ballina in solidarity with the people of Palestine until a ceasefire is declared in Gaza.
The weekly ‘Bridgil’ at Ham Bridge has been taking place every week since the end of June as part of a national movement in Ireland to raise awareness of the ongoing situation in Gaza and to show support for Palestine. Similar vigils have taken place in Castlebar, Westport and Achill in recent months.
Jenny and Derek Graham, who lived in Gaza for four years, are among the weekly attendees at the Ballina Bridgil. Derek told the that they want to keep local people aware of what is happening in Gaza, describing the actions of Israel as a "genocide".
“We want to get people to be fully aware that this is still going on. We’re into the tenth month of this and people tune out, and if everyone turns a blind eye, the genocide can continue,” he said.
“If we keep highlighting this here, particularly in Ballina which is Joe Biden’s hometown, you will hope that the message gets through to him.”
Mr Graham said they will keep up the Bridgil until there is a ceasefire.
“We’re over 330 days into this conflict and the numbers are going up dramatically. The official number of dead is 40,800 but even two months ago , which would be a well-regarded medical publication, estimated the true death toll is closer to 183,000.
“There are very few wars in the world with greater dead than injured. We’re at about 100,000 injured and realistically closer to 200,000 dead.
“The Gaza Strip is the size of the Burren and people were told to move south into an area that would be the equivalent of moving two million people into an area the size of Achill Island.”
Mr Graham said they would like to see their numbers grow at the weekly Ballina Bridgil, which takes place every Friday from 5pm to 6pm.
“We would call on as many people to come and join us. If you are against what’s happening and you’re sick and tired of watching children being slaughtered, stand with us. It is not political, it is humanitarian.”
However, he acknowledged that not everyone is in a position to join them. He urged people to ‘use their boycott’ by refusing to buy Israeli goods from supermarkets and pharmacies.
“Mayo has a great history when it comes to boycott, it is here the boycott movement started. The boycott movement globally is affecting Israel.
“It is money that talks and money is what will bring a ceasefire eventually. The Bridgils highlight what is going on and, hopefully, people will boycott Israeli goods and it is a snowball effect from there.
“Every euro you spend on Israeli products, you are effectively buying a bullet to kill a Palestinian child,” he said.
Mr Graham added that recent media reports that four flights from the US bound for the Israel Defence Forces flew over Irish airspace were a "flagrant violation of our sovereignty".
