Mass protests held in Ireland against sale of Israeli bonds
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Protesters condemned the Central Bank of Ireland’s approval of Israeli bonds, calling the move "unethical" and urging an end to their sale across Europe.
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Thousands of people gather to hold a march in Dublin, Ireland, in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, on November 09, 2024. (Anadolu Agency)
On Friday, citizens in Ireland gathered for a protest against the sale of "Israel’s" war bonds, rallying under the banner “Stop funding genocide,” Anadolu Agency reported.
The demonstration, organized by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), took place outside the Central Bank of Ireland in Dublin.
Protesters condemned the Central Bank of Ireland’s approval of Israeli bonds, calling the move "unethical" and urging an end to their sale across Europe. As the country that now oversees the sale of these bonds in the EU, Ireland—along with Norway and Spain, which recognized Palestine in May—has become central to their distribution. The Central Bank of Ireland is the designated authority for approving the securities' prospectuses.
Crowd gathering at City Hall in support of Palestine and the right to protest. pic.twitter.com/p3SPVHfRF3
— BelfastTradesCouncil (@BDTUC) November 15, 2024
The bonds are reportedly being used to fund "Israel’s" genocide in Gaza and Lebanon.
Independent senator Alice Mary Higgins, who attended the protest, told Anadolu that the Central Bank of Ireland’s support for "Israel" violates international law. She pointed out that these bonds, once sold through the UK, were transferred to Ireland after Brexit, adding that Ireland should not be a "facilitator or accomplice" in the flow of funds and arms supporting the war.
Last week, the head of Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that governments that sell weapons to "Israel" as it continues its aggression in Gaza and Lebanon are enabling belligerents abroad, Reuters reported.
HRW's Executive Director, Tirana Hassan, stated that nations such as the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom may curb "Israel's" behavior by halting military shipments.
"If there continues to be military support to the IDF and they (Western governments) know that these weapons are being used in the commission of war crimes, then that should be enough for weapons sales and transfers to stop," Hassan said during a Reuters interview.
“At this stage, the parties that could have some sort of influence and curb the behavior of the warring parties, when it comes to Israel, it’s the US, it’s the UK and it’s Germany, and it’s through weapons sales and transfers.”
Ireland to join South Africa's genocide case against 'Israel' at ICJ
Days ago, Ireland announced plans to join South Africa's case against "Israel" at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by the end of the year, according to Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheál Martin.
This comes after the Irish parliament passed a non-binding motion, stating that "genocide is being perpetrated before our eyes by Israel in Gaza."
South Africa filed the case in December, accusing "Israel" of violating the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention during the war on Gaza. Several other nations, including Spain, Bolivia, Turkiye, and Maldives have already supported the case.
Ireland had previously stated it would join the proceedings once South Africa submitted its supporting document, which was done on Monday. Martin explained, “The government's decision to intervene in the South African case was based on detailed and rigorous legal analysis,” emphasizing Ireland's commitment to international law and accountability.
South Africa's submission, a "memorial" filed with the ICJ, presents over 750 pages of text and more than 4,000 pages of exhibits, showing evidence of genocide by "Israel" in Gaza. While the document is not public, it has been confirmed as received by the ICJ.
