"We have to call out Israel for what it's doing"

Chants of "Free Free Palestine" filled the Market Square of Cavan Town yesterday afternoon as hundreds of protestors voiced their support for the besieged people of Gaza.

The well attended event was organised by local activist Sean O'Raghallaigh to show solidarity for the people of Palestine.

In the fortnight since Israel's "complete siege" of Gaza began, one million of Gaza's 2.2 million have been displaced as entire estates are reduced to rubble by intense bombing, 4,300 people have been killed, and many more injured.

Sinn Féin's Pauline Tully addressed Saturday's protest explaining that the situation in Palestine has deteriorated in recent years.

"In the last few years we have seen further [illegal Israeli] settlements being move in and the people of Gaza in particular being moved out, being made refugees in their own land. It has to stop.

"We have to call out Israel for what it's doing - it is totally wrong.

"Now I'm not condoning what Hamas did either - they breached humanitarian law as well," she emphasised of the October 7 attack in which 1,400 Israelis were killed and approximately 200 hostages were taken.

"But there is a system of apartheid being operated by the Israeli government and it needs to stop. And the support of America is a disgrace."

Deputy Tully pledged Sinn Féin's continuing support "until Palestine is free".