By Huzeyfe Tastan
DUBLIN (AA) - Dozens of demonstrators gathered in front of the Irish parliament on Friday to voice their support for Palestine and protest against the policies of the US.
The demonstration took place just ahead of a meeting scheduled to be held at the parliament building with members of the US House of Representatives.
The protesters carried signs with slogans such as "End the Genocide," "Palestinian Babies Are Not Targets," and "The Nakba Never Ended," emphasizing their opposition to the ongoing violence in the region.
Some demonstrators wore masks depicting US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, using this imagery to criticize the two leaders for their roles in the Middle East conflict.
Through their chants and banners, the protesters condemned the US and Israeli governments' policies, particularly concerning the human rights violations in Palestine.
They called for an immediate end to the violence and for justice to be established in the Gaza Strip.
Jack Spicer, a New Zealander who took part in the protest, spoke to Anadolu about the significance of the demonstration.
"In Ireland, where the spirit of resistance is strong, it is unacceptable for war criminals and US terrorism to converge here," Spicer said.
"We are here to support Palestine against the Zionist terrorist state of Israel. We stand with the Palestinian people, the occupied 1948 regions, the West Bank, and Gaza. We are here to say 'no' to genocide, to weapons, and to the US military aiding the terrorist Israeli state through Ireland. We will stand here and remain with the Palestinian people."
Israel has killed more than 40,200 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border attack by Hamas. The actions have triggered a humanitarian disaster and an ongoing trial over alleged genocide at the International Court of Justice.