Around 100 people gathered in Liberty Square in Thurles last Thursday evening to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In attendance were members of Irish and international communities in Thurles, families, representatives of the Thurles branch of the INTO union, as well as Independent councillor Jim Ryan and Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne.
There were a number of speakers on the evening, including Dean McGrath from the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the elected representatives and Fadi, a local Palestinian man originally from Gaza.
He described the situation in his home city, where his parents still live.
His family were told to evacuate, and they sought refuge in Jerusalem hospital. However, an attack close by forced them to move somewhere else.
He said it is hard to make contact with them and that all anyone can do right now is pray. He also said resources in Gaza are scarce and subject to attacks.
“So every place in Gaza is literally under attack. There is no water, no electricity. There is nothing there literally. There is a queue to get bread and today, by the way, there were five bakeries attacked. And people and kids were staying in the ques to get the bread.
“You can’t imagine in 2023 we can't just get bread and water. There is no safe place in the Gaza strip, ”said Fadi.
He said he was grateful to the Irish for their support of his people.
Thurles councillor Jim Ryan said he was proud of people in Thurles for coming out to show their support.
He condemned the attacks in Gaza, calling them ‘criminal,’ and committed to raising the issue at the next Tipperary County Council meeting.
“I know a number of ye here tonight, and I want to pass on my condolences to your people and to say we here in Thurles, Tipperary and Ireland have your back. We are on your side. We know what it is like to have people here in our country who shouldn’t be here.
“My own grandfather fought against the British when they occupied Ireland. We are with you, and we will always be with you. And what’s going on is unjustifiable,” said Cllr Ryan.
Tipperary TD Martin Browne accused Israel of war crimes and genocide.
He praised the Government for their part but said it was because of the support shown by the Irish people. He called for the crowd assembled to get on social media and make their voices heard and attend upcoming rallies.
“We need as a community to stand behind the Palestinians, and anywhere where there is a protest, we can go there in numbers and build a movement they cannot ignore,” said Mr Browne.
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