DUBLIN DEMONSTRATION:A BROAD coalition including politicians, trade unionists, anti-war activists and members of the Palestinian community in Ireland has called for thousands to join a demonstration protesting against Israel's military assault on Gaza this weekend, writes Mary Fitzgerald, Foreign Affairs Correspondent.
The protesters will gather in Dublin city centre tomorrow to urge the Government to break off diplomatic relations with Israel and press for the EU to suspend the process of upgrading its ties with the country. They are also calling for a comprehensive boycott of Israel.
At a press conference yesterday, Labour TD Joe Costello, Mags O'Brien of Siptu, artist Robert Ballagh, Daithí Doolan of Sinn Féin and Richard Boyd Barrett of the Irish Anti-War Movement were among those appealing for the public to join the demonstration.
While several speakers commended the Government's strong condemnation of Israel's actions over the past two weeks, Mr Boyd Barrett said it should "go further" and push for the suspension of the EuroMed agreement, which grants trade privileges to Israel.
"We need more than words. We need action that would put real pressure on Israel," he added.
Mr Costello called on the EU to cancel meetings with the Israeli government to discuss trade between the two. He said the Israeli ambassador to Ireland, Zion Evrony, had been summoned to address the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs next week.
"We will be putting it to him why he should not be expelled as a result of his country's actions," added Mr Costello, a member of the committee.
Elsewhere, Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins has written to the European Commission demanding that the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which forms the legal basis for relations between the two, be suspended. "Israel has disregarded diplomatic efforts to resolve this crisis and it is clear that we now need to look at some kind of sanctions," Mr Higgins said.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International, Trócaire and Christian Aid are inviting members of the public to light candles today in memory of the Palestinians and Israelis who have died since Israel began its offensive last month.
"This is not about being pro-Palestine or pro-Israel," said Amnesty's Colm O'Gorman. "Human rights abuses on both sides need to be condemned."
The event will take place at 6pm at the Grafton Street entrance to St Stephen's Green.
In Belfast, Ictu's Northern Ireland branch has welcomed a decision by the Parades Commission to allow a rally tomorrow highlighting the crisis in Gaza despite objections by three DUP representatives.