'Take to the streets to mark the 75th anniversary of the Nabka' - Cllr Maeve O'Neill
34 children murdered by Israeli forces in the West Bank in 2022
The people of Derry have been urged to take to the streets to mark the 75th anniversary of the Nabka, by Derry City and Strabane District councillor, Maeve O'Neill (People Before Profit).
Ms O'Neill, who is a candidate in the Moor Ward in the upcoming local government election on May 18, said the The Nakba or 'catastrophe' marked the declaration of Independence of the Israeli State.
She added: "To get to this point, the renowned Israeli historian Illan Pappe estimated that more than 750,000 Palestinians were driven from their lands. The ancestors of these people to this day are refugees and refused the right to return to their homes.
"The events in Gaza over the last week illustrate the barbarity of the Apartheid Israeli State and their total disregard for Palestinian lives; This week alone there have been 29 people killed in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes. This includes men, women and children. Indiscriminate slaughter.
"Save The Children state that 34 children were murdered by Israeli forces in the illegally Occupied West Bank in 2022.
"Where is the outrage of the world? Where is the wall to wall media coverage that is granted to other conflicts? Where is the challenge to the complicity of US President Joe Biden and European Union military, economic and political support for Israle's illegal occupation and barbaric war on Palestinians?" she said.
"Derry has a proud tradition of supporting Palestine," said Ms O'Neill. "We thank the Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign for organising the rally at 12 noon at Free Derry Corner, on Saturday.
"None of us are free until the Palestinians are free."