Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the Northern Ireland peace process showed the potential to end the conflict in the Middle East.
The Dublin Central TD was speaking at the latest London march in support of Palestine, which the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said was attended by more than 500,000 people.
Similar events were held around the world, including across the street from the White House in Washington and in cities such as Rome, Bangkok and Jakarta.
Meanwhile, several rallies were held across Ireland, including in Dublin, Derry and Cork.
“This kind of thing can happen.”
More than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people.
Mr MacDonald told those gathered in London that although peace may be seen by some as a “far-fetched dream”, North Korea had shown that it was possible to find “a journey out of conflict”. Ta.
“The Nakba, the Palestinian nightmare, has lasted far too long,” she said.
“We seek new horizons of freedom, peace and security.
“To the cynics, the apathetic and the bellicose who say this is impossible, that peace and freedom for Palestine are just a pipe dream, I stand here in London and say this in common with you. We’ve been on our own path for a long time.” A journey out of conflict and into 25 years of peace-building, this can happen, it absolutely has to happen, and we all want to make sure it happens.” I say you have to let it happen. ”
Protesters holding flags and banners (Image: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP) (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)Mr McDonald also praised South Africa for filing a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Following two days of hearings in The Hague this week, the ICJ has now begun deliberating the case and said a decision would be announced in due course.
Macdonald supported South Africa’s lawsuit and said Israel needed to be “held accountable.”
“This week South Africa showed other countries what leadership means,” she said.
“Calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire are unanswerable. Refusal to support an immediate and permanent ceasefire is unconscionable.
A Little Amal doll was on display at the demonstration (Image: Guy Smallman/Getty Images)“The world is at a crossroads and a choice has to be made.
“We are told that the world order is based on human rights, justice and the rule of law. We are now demanding human rights, justice and the rule of law for Palestine, Gaza and the West Bank. Masu.
“We demand that Israel be held accountable, that the genocide end now, and that governments of all nations call for a ceasefire.
“International efforts are now underway for peace and self-determination for the Palestinian people.”
9 people arrested
Saturday was the seventh Palestinian national demonstration, with campaigners marching from Bank Station to Parliament Square.
In addition to Mr McDonald, speakers included former Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Hussam Zomlot.
“Little Amal,” a 10-foot-tall doll of a Syrian refugee girl who crossed Europe in 2021, was also on display.
The Metropolitan Police said 1,700 officers were deployed in the city and nine people were arrested during the day.
“The majority of those in attendance today participated peacefully and lawfully,” the spokesperson added.
