Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called for sanctions against the Israeli government ahead of a national demonstration for Palestine. 

Tens of thousands of people attended the National Demonstration for Palestine in Dublin this afternoon, marching from Parnell Street to the Dáil. 

Protestors are calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas – and for the Irish Government to implement sanctions until this happens. 

Speaking ahead of the protest, Deputy McDonald said the violence against civilians in Gaza cannot go on any longer. 

“It's shocking that we're months and months into this genocide that's happening in Gaza,” she said. 

“The suffering of the Palestinian people, the agony that they're enduring is televised - we're witnessing it with our own eyes, and yet it's allowed to continue.” 

National Demonstration for Palestine in Dublin, 31/08/2024. Image: Leon Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

She noted there is “huge support” for Palestine within Ireland but argued the Government must take more concrete steps soon. 

“The rhetoric that we hear from Government is not matched by firm action,” she said. 

“It's now time for sanctions - not to talk about them, not to take advice, but to act. 

“The Government has had opportunity after opportunity to back the occupied territories legislation and to take action in terms of divestment, and they failed. 

“We’re at a critical juncture for Palestine, but also for the world order, for respect for human rights, for international law, all of that is imperilled.” 

McDonald calls for action

The Sinn Féin leader said Ireland shouldn’t wait for other European countries to implement sanctions and it should “set the pace” itself. 

“The Government must act now,” she said. “Sound bites and rhetoric are simply not enough.” 

Deputy McDonald welcomed Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s order to the Defence Forces not to award military contracts to Israeli companies. 

“In all fairness, that direction should have been given a long time ago,” she said. 

“Don't imagine that that is enough - what we need now are sanctions [for] Israel.” 

Today’s protest also calls for an end to Irish airspace being used to transport weapons and for the Government here to hold Israel accountable for the conflict. 

Reporting by Bella Finn.