Video – Dublin protest against brutal Israeli assault on Gaza

MORE than 150 people took part in a lunchtime protest organised by Sinn Féin outside Leinster House on Thursday to show support and solidarity with the people of Gaza.

In the last 48 hours Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 80 people inside the beleaguered coastal territory –  the vast majority of whom have been civilians.

Speaking at the protest, Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD hit out at media coverage which tries to portray Palestinians as the aggressors:

"Those of us here today are not stupid. We know the history and the facts about Palestine –  about the disgraceful and shameful abandonment of those people for all these decades. 1.5million people are imprisoned in an open air jail, that's what Gaza is. They're surrounded on all sides"

Calling for a cessation of hostilities, the Donegal TD said:

"Of course we want to see rocket attacks from Gaza stop. But this is about an oppressed people beaten down for decades. The responsibility is on the international community to confront the rogue state of Israel."

Adnan Abu Shabab of the Palestinian Mission in Ireland thanked those taking part in the protest and said the recent Israeli assault is aimed at destroying the historic Palestinian Unity Government. 

"We call on all peace-loving nations to stand in solidarity with the besieged Gaza people," he said.

Martin Quigley, Chairperson of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), hit out at the Irish governments and others who have failed to stand up to Israel and tell them to end their attacks:

"Israel is intent on escalating the situation because nobody is telling them to stop."

At Leaders' Questions inside the Dáil chamber, Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald TD asked Tánaiste Joan Burton whether the Irish Government had contacted the Israeli Ambassador or the Israeli Government to express outrage at the collective punishment of the people of Gaza.

Burton refused to answer the question.

"Time and time again we have seen the population of Gaza pummeled and only fed diplomatic rhetoric. We need more than that now." Mary Lou said.

• Gerry Adams TD with Adnan Abu Shabab of the Mission of Palestine in Ireland