'The numbers are still coming out': Cork hosts eighth rally in support of Palestine 

Approximately one thousand people took to the streets of Cork on Saturday calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

It marked the eighth week of people gathering to protest in support of Palestine, calling for an end to the war and peace in the region.

The protest was held one day after Israeli air raids and artillery fighting resumed in Gaza after a seven-day pause in fighting.

The Israel-Hamas truce began on November 24 and was renewed twice before ending on Friday.

Under the truce, fighting was paused and humanitarian aid was allowed to enter Gaza as Hamas released captives in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners.

The deadline for the extended truce passed with no announcement of an extension from either side and fighting resumed.

On Saturday, chants of ‘Free, free Palestine’ echoed through the city centre as one thousand people marched from Grand Parade through Patrick Street, Winthrop Street and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Some of those taking part also held a silent “die-in” on Oliver Plunkett St — as a means to highlight the multitude of deaths since the conflict began.

Speaking to The Echo following Saturday’s protest, Joe Moore of Cork Says No to Racism, who is also a member of Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: “The fact that it is our eighth week and we had about one thousand people on Saturday again. The numbers are still coming out. The demand for justice continues. Despite the extra cold weather, it didn't affect the attendance and it didn’t affect the rally.

“There’s a difference across the age groups and people from different parts of the world are united on one single issue - it’s fantastic.” 

He said the main demand of the people is “an immediate and permanent ceasefire”.

“People were hoping up to Friday morning that those truces would be extended but unfortunately that wasn’t the case and you had a resumption then of this brutal attack where you have 75% of the population driven into the southern part of Gaza with no escape whatsoever,” he said.

Speaking about the ‘die-in’ demonstration that took place on Saturday, Mr Moore said: “The whole concept of the die-in was to represent people that are being butchered and it allows for contemplation as well.

“The fact that we had the die-in and that it was silent and there was no chanting and no noise and it did impact on pedestrians that were on the street at the time and it was emotional and important I think as well for people to internalise to some degree what’s happening in Gaza,” he said.

Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign continues to organise pro-Palestine rallies taking place each Saturday at 1pm in the city centre.