WATCH: Successful International Women’s Day Dungiven - Palestine Vigil

A group of women and mothers from Dungiven held an International Women’s Day Vigil showing “solidarity with the women and mothers of Palestine”.

The Women and mothers who attended the Vigil in Dungiven in support of Palestine.

Speaking to County Derry Post, one of the co-organisers, Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh said: “Through our Vigil, which was supported by the local ladies Gaelic clubs, we wanted to show our solidarity with the women and mothers of Palestine. 

“The majority of the 31,000 civilians killed are women and children and the vigil was held to mark International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day,” added Nodlaig. 

“Thousands of women have been killed and many have had to endure the pain of either their children being killed, their children being seriously injured, or not being able to provide food for their children. 

“Pregnant women are giving birth, without pain relief and many are malnourished. In recent days, children have died from starvation and we are seeing terrible images of tiny limbs and protruding bones. 

“It is appalling that the western governments have not intervened in any way. As women and mothers, we feel their pain and it was very moving to have young mothers with their babies join us at the vigil. We are calling on both the UK government and Irish government to do everything they possibly can to bring about an urgent, lasting ceasefire and stop the genocide, ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of the Palestinian people. 

“As Irish people who commemorate and reflect on the forced starvation of our own people during the ‘Gorta Mór’, it is even more horrific for us to witness a people being starved in this day and age,” said Nodlaig.

The Dungiven musician and singer said it was incumbent on everybody put pressure on our politicians “to impose sanctions and take all possible measures to prevent further loss of life and destruction”.

She added: “They are legally obliged to do so under the Genocide Convention. 

“The vigil at the new motorway was highly visible and we received huge support from the public. We intend to have a presence there every Friday evening from 5.00pm to 6.00pm and encourage people to join us or organise their own vigils. 

“We will also be supporting the ‘Shamrocks for Palestine’ march in Belfast on Saturday, March 16, to show that we stand with the oppressed people of Palestine and not those responsible for this inhumane and merciless military campaign.”

ENDS