Ballina shows solidarity with Palestine

At the Humbert Monument in Ballina last Sunday afternoon, a large crowd gathered in support of calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict and to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. 

There were several speakers, including Ballina locals Jenny and Derek Graham, Crystal Kim, Sinn Féin Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh, Úna Morris and representatives from the Irish-Palestinian Solidarity Campaign.

The cathaoirleach of the Ballina Sinn Féin branch Úna Morris said the demonstration was taking place to show support for the Palestinian people.

"Sinn Féin and the Palestinian people have always supported each other for decades now. Today’s demonstration is an action against the bombardment by the Israeli government on the people of Gaza and on attacks on people in the West Bank. We won’t stand for it any longer so we are calling on the Israelis to hold a ceasefire.” 

Derek Graham, who has visited the Gaza Strip on several occasions, agreed that the main purpose of the rally was to call for a ceasefire.

"The people inside Gaza are now out of water and food, there’s no medicine, and hospitals yesterday officially had to turn off oxygen in incubators and in ICU. People are dying from lack of medical supplies. The main hospital in Gaza is overrun and there’s massive bombardment around it at the moment. Unless there is a ceasefire you’re looking at a humanitarian catastrophe.” 

Mayo Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh said it was very important to hold the rally in Ballina. 

"People feel a sense of helplessness at this time but there’s something everyone can do. The international community and our own Government need to understand how people feel about the slaughter that’s happening in Palestine. There is no other word for it, it’s genocide. They have created a graveyard for children and women in Gaza, and a ceasefire has to happen and the fighting has to stop. We’re standing here, on a Sunday morning, and I’m thinking of the children alive now that won’t be alive this time tomorrow.” 

Sajjad Hussain, a Pakistani man who works with Refugee Support in Ballaghderreen, said he believes the demonstration will build awareness and keep pressure on the international community".

In a message from Gaza, Saeed Sadeq, a former student of St Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford, who is attending the University of Gaza, said: “Acts of solidarity nourish us here in Gaza knowing there are people that are feeling for us."

He added: “Ireland is the only Western country that stands with humanity and we [the Palestinian people] appreciate everything from you.”