Hundreds Rally in Dublin Against Central Bank’s Israel Bonds

A significant protest took place outside government buildings in Dublin on Tuesday evening, as hundreds gathered to voice their opposition to the Central Bank of Ireland’s approval of Israel Bonds for sale within the European Union. The demonstration, organized by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, began with speeches at Government Buildings before marching to the Department of Foreign Affairs, briefly stopping outside the Department of Finance.

Dr. Bridget Kiely, a representative from Irish Healthcare Workers for Palestine, addressed the crowd, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip. She described a phenomenon she termed “medicide,” referring to the normalization of the eradication of healthcare services. Dr. Kiely emphasized the tragic loss of healthcare workers in Gaza, drawing parallels to previous conflicts, stating, “Up until the last decade, attacks on healthcare facilities were rare and generated public outcry.”

She pointed out that prior to the current crisis, the invasion of Ukraine had recorded the highest fatalities among healthcare workers, with 261 killed. In stark contrast, she reported that Israel has killed over six times that number during its operations in Gaza, asserting, “There are no sanctions on Israel.”

During the protest, Ciaran Ahern, a member of the Labour Party, called for the governor of the Central Bank, Gabriel Makhlouf, to reject the prospectus for Israel Bonds, which is due for renewal on September 2, 2023. Ahern stated, “Our Central Bank is complicit in Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians; this must end.”

The Central Bank of Ireland serves as the designated authority for the sale of Israel Bonds in the EU, asserting that the securities comply with the bloc’s prospectus regulations. These bonds have been marketed as a means of supporting Israel’s economy, but recent promotions have increasingly highlighted their role in financing military actions in Gaza. Critics argue that approving these bonds constitutes complicity in the ongoing violence against Palestinians.

Activists at the protest also urged the Irish Government to implement a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements. Although Ireland’s coalition government, which includes Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, committed to banning goods from occupied Palestinian territories, there are calls for broader restrictions that would also apply to services.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Premier Simon Harris emphasized the need for collective action from the European Union against Israel, describing such measures as “long overdue.” Responding to a report from RTÉ News, which revealed that 206 former European ambassadors and officials had signed a letter urging the EU to take stronger action in light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, Harris described the letter as a “vital, unprecedented intervention.” He added, “If we don’t take collective action now against the backdrop of famine, when will we?”

The protest in Dublin highlights the growing tensions surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the political implications of financial support through mechanisms such as Israel Bonds. The demonstrators’ calls for accountability resonate amid escalating concerns over the impact of the ongoing conflict on civilian lives.