Newbridge protest tomorrow calling for boycott of Israel
Kildare Palestine Solidarity activists will continue their weekly vigil in Newbridge tomorrow to support 1,600 Palestinian prisoners currently on a hunger strike which is now entering its fifth week.
The activists have had support from Kildare County Cllrs and TD Fiona O’Loughlin in their bid to raise awareness about the plight of the prisoners who are calling for an end to Israel’s alleged practice of solitary confinement, torture, medical negligence and denial of rights guaranteed under international law — including the right to a fair trial and family visits.
The Catholic Church in Palestine and Israel issued a call this week to Catholics around the world to speak out about the injustices in Palestine.
A spokesperson said: "The Church cannot ignore fundamental injustice or acts that endanger peace and the welfare of the human person. By her very nature, the Church opposes occupation and discrimination and is committed to promote justice and peace as well as the unique dignity and equality of every human person. "The Church can never ignore injustice “as if” all is well but rather is obligated to speak out, resist evil and work tirelessly for change."
Local activist and Kildare County Cllr Joanne Pender said: "We should all be out in support with the Palestinian hunger strikers who are fighting for freedom and dignity.
"Their treatment at the hands of the terrorist Israeli state is typical as that’s how they treat all Palestinians.
Thousands of Palestinians, including children are locked up without any due process, the victims of a regime which aims to suppress any resistance against the illegal occupation through apartheid, segregation and ill-treatment.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the occupation of the West Bank and local activists are stepping up their campaign to highlight awareness of a worldwide campaign to boycott Israeli goods.
Friday’s vigil will include a large banner, ‘Boycott Israeli Goods’, part of a wider Boycott Divestment Sanction campaign urging people not to buy Israeli-made goods in shops, not to invest in Israel and to impose international sanctions like those imposed on South Africa during its apartheid regime.