Lost lives in Palestine commemorated as Tipperary groups march for Gaza

Calls for peace are getting louder worldwide and a recent event held in Cashel brought a number of local concerned groups across Tipperary together in solidarity with the plight of Palestinians who need support as winter approaches and food is in short supply.

A county wide event  on October 8th marked one year of the ongoing suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

The Tipperary groups involved on the evening included Cashel for Palestine, Nenagh Friends of Palestine, IPSC - South East, Clonmel Friends of Palestine, Cloughjordan Justice for Palestine, IPSC North Tipperary and Droichead 24. 

On the night Timmy Hammersley, a former Tipperary player and an All-Ireland medalist in 2010, spoke about the need for people worldwide to keep the pressure on Israel and others  to find a better path:

“It is a year since the genocide in Gaza began and it is seen worldwide. I would have been engaged with this issue for some time. I think we understand it well in Ireland. We were never a colonial power like Germany or Britian so in some ways they don’t think like we do. The international rules based order since World War Two created rules but now it is becoming obvious that they are funding genocide. 

“They decided the rules but change them to suit themselves.  America, Britian and others aren’t following rules they want others to follow and now it is leaving us wondering who are the bad guys here?

“I think that is quite serious. 

“Israel is perceived to be an ally of the US so if they feel they can do whatever they want, that is really bad. 

“There are children without parents because of this war with thousands are dead and that is why people are coming together to say it isn’t right what is happening. 

“We have a feeling of helplessness about this war but we can make a difference by talking to politicians on the doorstep before the elections and getting them to promise to make a change.  The only way now Ireland can make a difference is to put pressure on other nations to find compassion and to hit Israel economically,” said Timmy.

Hundreds of people lined the streets in Cashel and solidarity was shown amongst the groups as they strived to find a way to make a difference. 

“Palestinians are dying and getting little coverage in the news while one Israeli could die and they get a lot of coverage,” said Timmy Hammersley who spent time travelling to Palestine before the war. 

He feels the media has a part to play:“The reality of the situation is not shown on western television. 

“That is the reality in Ireland. The story as it stands is not being told as Palestinians are suffering hugely. 

“They need worldwide support now.”