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Thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin on Saturday, February 21, 2026, demonstrating in solidarity with Palestine. The march, organized by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), marked the nineteenth National March for Palestine since October 2023, reflecting ongoing concern over the situation in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The demonstration underscores a sustained wave of activism in Ireland advocating for Palestinian rights and a ceasefire.
The march began and concluded at significant locations in Dublin city center, ultimately ending at Leinster House, the seat of the Irish Parliament. Participants carried banners and chanted slogans calling for accountability and an finish to the violence. The IPSC stated the demonstration was a powerful display of support for the Palestinian people and a demand for the Irish government to take stronger action.
Among the speakers at the rally was Ghada Ashour, a Palestinian student currently studying in Ireland. Ashour shared a deeply personal account of leaving her family in Khan Younis last September to pursue a Master’s degree, describing it as the “hardest decision of my entire life.” She detailed the devastation her family has faced, including the loss of her brother almost two years ago and the destruction of their home. “Not only were our houses levelled down to the ground but also we lost many family members,” Ashour said, highlighting the immense suffering endured by Palestinians.
Rula Nasr-Mazzawi, an activist who traveled from Nazareth to address the crowd, emphasized the importance of international solidarity. “It’s very important to me to tell you that people back home in Palestine, they follow what you guys do here in Ireland and we always feel stronger,” Nasr-Mazzawi stated. “People feel stronger when they observe your demonstrations, it’s just a feeling that we are not alone, that people in Gaza are not alone, and Here’s very important.”
The demonstration comes amid a backdrop of ongoing protests in Ireland related to the conflict. According to a Wikipedia list of pro-Palestinian protests in Ireland, demonstrations have been taking place since October 2023, with varying levels of attendance. A protest in Limerick on October 21, 2023, reportedly drew 50,000 participants, while a Dublin demonstration on November 18, 2023, saw approximately 5,000 attendees.
The IPSC has also organized smaller gatherings in other locations, including Donnybrook, Ballsbridge, and Dundrum, as reported on their official website. These events included flag-flying and bridge waves, demonstrating a widespread effort to raise awareness and show support for Palestine across the country.
Another large march took place on July 19, 2024, with an estimated 10,000 people participating, described as the largest National March for Palestine to date. That demonstration also focused on calls for the Irish government to hold Israel accountable and for the Central Bank of Ireland to cease facilitating Israeli government bonds.
The continued demonstrations reflect a growing movement within Ireland advocating for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and for greater international attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Organizers say they will continue to pressure the Irish government to take a stronger stance on the issue.
As the conflict continues, further demonstrations and advocacy efforts are expected in Ireland. The IPSC and other organizations are likely to maintain their campaign for Palestinian rights, seeking to influence both domestic and international policy. The next steps will likely involve continued lobbying of government officials and further public awareness campaigns.
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