Harris backs idea to hold national day of solidarity in support of Palestinians

By Cate McCurry, PA

Tánaiste Simon Harris has supported an idea for Ireland to hold a national day of solidarity in support of the people of Gaza.

The Fine Gael leader said a proposal for a national day of solidarity was a “sensible and a good idea”, adding he will talk to colleagues on how to make it happen.

He was responding to a letter written by Michael Cush, which appeared in the letters page of The Irish Times on Thursday.

The letter said that the Government has been “brave and consistent” in its condemnation of atrocities and Israel’s actions against Gaza, but that the people of Ireland are “frustrated”.

He said that people feel helpless to prevent it.

“If the Government were to call a national day of protest, making clear that it was a condemnation of atrocities in Gaza, not of Israel’s right to self-determination or self-defence, the turnout would likely be enormous,” the letter added.

“Other nations might follow suit. Some good might be achieved. At the very least, Ireland and the Irish people would have done the right thing and could not be accused of standing idly by.”

Posting a picture of the letter, Mr Harris said on his Instagram account that the people of Ireland stand with the people of Palestine.

“We stand for human rights, for international law, for a two state solution, for aid to flow, for hostages to be released. We stand for peace. We stand for an end to genocide,” he added.

“The suggestion for a national day or moment of solidarity made by Michael Cush in the letter is sensible and a good idea.

“It could be powerful if many countries did it together. I will now talk to colleagues on how to make this happen.”

The United Nations and experts have said that Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of famine, with the World Food Programme (WFP) saying that almost a third of people in Gaza are not eating for days.

The WFP said the crisis has reached new and “astonishing levels of desperation”.