Workers Party of Ireland Message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

Workers Party of Ireland Message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

In 1977, the General Assembly of the United Nations called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This year’s observance takes place in the context of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians.

The Workers Party of Ireland, since the beginning, has taken to the streets to demonstrate against the genocidal acts of the Israeli state, involving the indiscriminate mass killing of Palestinians, including children, the destruction of their homes, their expulsion and displacement, the blockade on food, water and medical assistance, the destruction of essential medical and health care facilities, causing serious mental and bodily harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions meant to "bring about their physical destruction as a group.”

The United Nations has repeatedly documented violations of human rights in the Occupied territories including occupation, annexation of territory, the illegal building of Jewish settlements, the deportation and expulsion of Palestinians, 24 hour curfews, the confiscation and destruction of property including the demolition of Palestinian homes and agricultural land as collective punishment, the exploitation of Palestinian labour, mass arrests and administrative detention without trial, ill-treatment and torture of persons under detention, censorship, the violent suppression of demonstrations and protests, military attacks on political organisations and the strangulation of the economy of the Occupied territories.

The Israeli state continues to target civilians in their ongoing criminal campaign to eradicate the Palestinian people. Israeli repression is not confined to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestinians inside Israel continue to suffer discrimination and human rights violations in employment, education, healthcare, land ownership and state investment.

The Workers Party of Ireland demands:

• an immediate and permanent ceasefire and Israel’s immediate and total withdrawal from Gaza and the West Bank.

• that humanitarian aid reaches all Palestinians in Gaza and that UN agencies, including UNWRA, carry out their operations and services without restrictions.

• a halt to any further displacement of Palestinians and to ensure the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes.

• the cessation of all forms of aid and assistance to Israel and the implementation of diplomatic, political, economic and military sanctions against the Zionist state.

• a full independent investigation into Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity.

• recognition of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality.

• reparations for the death and destruction caused by Israel’s murderous actions.

• that the perpetrators of Israeli war crimes and genocide, and their international supporters, are held accountable and made amenable for their actions.

• a guarantee of the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolutions.

• the release of all Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and the full recognition of an independent sovereign state of Palestine.

• The creation of an independent, sovereign state of Palestine in which the rights of the Palestinian people are respected in full.

Free Palestine!

Long live the just struggle of the Palestinian people!

Gerry Grainger

International Secretary Workers Party of Ireland