We must commemorate October 9th
We must commemorate October 9th on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza.
The date was October 9th, 2023. The world was sympathising with Israel following the October 7th attack by Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement).
“I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed. We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.” Yoav Gallant, Defence Minister of Israel.
We bore witness that day to the public declaration of genocidal intent. We recognised that we needed to act immediately. On Wednesday October 11th, 2023 we gathered on the Grand Parade in Cork to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. It was dark, hastily organised but well attended.
That Saturday, October the 14th, was the first week of what would become a weekly anti-genocide protest. A protest calling for the freedom of all Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank. On January 26th, 2024, we were confirmed in what was obvious to see as we watched a live-streamed genocide on our phones.
“In the Court’s view, the facts and circumstances mentioned above are sufficient to conclude that at least some of the rights claimed by South Africa and for which it is seeking protection are plausible. This is the case with respect to the right of the Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide and related prohibited acts identified in Article III, and the right of South Africa to seek Israel’s compliance with the latter’s obligations under the Convention.” International Court of Justice
We marched for a ceasefire. And we marched. 10 weeks passed. 20 weeks passed. Still we marched.. 45 weeks passed. 46 weeks passed. No ceasefire. We are now coming up to 12 months of genocide in Gaza. By July 2024 famine was officially declared by the UN throughout Gaza. Polio, eradicated for 25 years, re-emerged. Children are contracting Hepatitis A which causes liver failure. There are no fully functioning medical facilities left in Gaza, Israel has made sure of that too. The highest population of child amputees in history, Gaza. Children amputated without access to any sedation, anaesthetic or pain relief.
Israeli indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas continues including hospitals, schools and refugee areas filled with tents. Gruesome displays of the never-ending genocide. Women unable to get maternity care, and the next generation of Palestinians in Gaza, if not killed by the dropping of an Israeli bomb are irrevocably damaged through malnutrition and psychological trauma. What are we to do?
For almost a year, we have asked the Irish government to stop blocking the occupied territories bill, they continue to block it. They recognised Palestine as a state, which they had already expressed their intention to do in September 2023. So our weekly march, have they listened to us, and to the people of Ireland throughout this island? No. And if they call an early election, which looks likely, this will be an electoral issue for many more people than they realise.
For now, we will keep pushing, we will keep agitating for the occupied territories bill to be passed immediately. We will commemorate October 9th as the day we realised Israel's intention to commit genocide against the Palestinian people.
Every week we march is another week we keep our humanity. And if we do decide on less frequent marches, we will fill the gap between with more advocacy for Palestinian freedom based on the same model used to dismantle the South African apartheid system. Boycott, sanction and divest from Israel and Israeli products. Join us.