Pro-Palestine protesters are gathering in Dublin city centre this afternoon ahead of a high-profile Dáil Éireann vote on the Sanctions Against the State of Israel Bill, with crowds expected to build outside Kildare Street from around 5.30pm as rush hour begins to peak.
The demonstration, organised by People Before Profit and supported by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Irish Anti-War Movement, comes as TDs prepare to debate what is being described as the first proposal to introduce comprehensive economic sanctions directly targeting the State of Israel. The Bill would seek to prohibit a wide range of trade, investment, financial dealings, and other state-linked economic activity.
The Bill itself is being framed by supporters as a legislative response to ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, and is officially described as “an Act to prevent and address the commission of the international crimes of genocide and apartheid by the State of Israel, by providing for the establishment of economic sanctions.”
Speaking ahead of the vote, the Irish Anti-War Movement said in a statement: “The IAWM is supporting the People before Protest PbP today to coincide with the vote on its bill in the Dáil to sanction Israel. This is happening at a time when the state of Israel has once again kidnapped humanitarian activists on the high seas, some Irish citizens among them including President Connolly's sister Margaret.”
The protest is expected to feature a wide range of speakers and performances as the evening unfolds. Among those scheduled are Richard Boyd Barrett (People Before Profit) acting as chair, alongside Fatin Al Tamimi (Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign) and Daniel Lambert, Chief Operating Officer at Bohemians and an organiser involved in the “Stop The Game” campaign.
A family member of a flotilla participant, Karen Moynihan, is also due to speak, alongside contributions from Frances Black, Ruth Coppinger (Solidarity), Sara O’Rourke (Irish Anti-War Movement), and political representatives including Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Sinn Féin), Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats), and Duncan Smith (Labour). Poet Liam Cunningham is also listed as part of the programme, with musical performances expected from Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin.
Meanwhile, a separate Silent Walk in Solidarity with Gaza is set to take place later this evening in Dún Laoghaire, beginning at 8pm at the East Pier, as parallel events across Dublin reflect ongoing public mobilisation on the issue.
Looking ahead to next week, further demonstrations have already been scheduled outside the Dáil on Tuesday, 26th May, from 12.30pm to 2pm, with campaigners focusing on calls to cancel upcoming Ireland vs Israel fixtures in the Nations League. Organisers say the campaign is part of a broader effort to oppose what they describe as “sportswashing” and to push sporting bodies to reconsider international fixtures.
