Kairos Ireland – Lent 2024

The Gaza genocide continues

The genocidal assault on Gaza by Israel continues. Israel has outmatched the Hamas inspired atrocities of the 7th October 26-fold with the killing of over 31,000 children, women, and men. Homes, schools, and clinics have been destroyed. Much of Gaza is a waste land. People desperate for food have been shot and bombed and now we are seeing images of starving children. Israeli spokespersons cynically blame aid agencies for failing to supply the necessary food, whilst they are preventing aid-trucks from crossing into the Gaza strip. The USA is calling on Israel to moderate its military actions but is still supplying weapons and finance to enable those actions. Prime minister Netanyahu continues to declare his intention to attack the crowded city of Rafah regardless of the cost in human suffering.

Land theft in the West Bank

While the focus has been on Gaza, land theft and killing of Palestinians has continued in the occupied West Bank. Over 400 Palestinians have been killed, mostly by Israeli soldiers but also by settlers. On the 26th February Channel 4 News broadcast a 13-minute report describing the brutal tactics of religious settlers against pastoral communities. Under international law (Fourth Geneva Conventions) soldiers from the state of Israel have an obligation to protect the occupied civilian population. Instead, they support the violent settlers. In one terrible scene a Palestinian man is shot at point blank range by a settler. The only consequence for the shooter was the confiscation of his assault rifle. The settlers now wear military style -uniforms and carry assault rifles provided by the state of Israel.

Human rights monitors required

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine and Israel (UK and Ireland) is recruiting volunteers to serve for three months as Human rights monitors in the West Bank. Successful applicants serve for three months in the West Bank. Expenses are covered and training is provided by the British Quakers.

National Demonstration Saturday 23rd March

There will be a national demonstration this Saturday organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The march is due to start at 1pm at the Garden of Remembrance and will proceed to the Department of Foreign Affairs on Stephen’s Green. The call is for an end to the Gaza genocide, sanctions on Israel and freedom and justice for Palestine.

Postcard Campaign for action

Sadaka, the Ireland Palestine Alliance, is organising a postcard campaign to pressure the Irish Government to move from rhetoric to action. The message is – Ireland is failing to act on its duty to prevent Genocide. It is true that Ireland has been bolder than most other European countries in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and in naming Israeli actions as war crimes, but so far it has failed to enact the Occupied Territories Bill to ban trade with the illegal Israeli Settlements. Postcards will be distributed on the march on Sat 23rd