Vigil for Rafah to be held tonight
By Maisie Mould
An emergency vigil entitled All Eyes on Rafah has been called in response to Israel’s continuous perpetration of violence in Rafah, Gaza. It will take place this evening, at 7pm on the Grand Parade in Cork city.
The aim of the vigil, organised by local activists from Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Cork Rebels for Peace, is to draw attention to the urgent need for a ceasefire, and honour the many lives lost in recent attacks.
People are encouraged to bring candles, as a way of remembrance for the victims, and as a symbol of hope and solidarity between the people of Cork and Gaza.
The vigil is part of a movement of Cork-based action for Palestine, which includes UCC BDS, who are currently holding an encampment on the historic quad demanding that the college takes action. Among their demands are that UCC makes a statement calling for a ceasefire and condemning the ongoing genocide, divests from Israeli institutions and corporations and supports Palestinian students and academic research.
Nearly 1.4 million Palestinians have been sheltering in Rafah, largely in makeshift tents, after fleeing Israel’s bombardment of other areas in Gaza. Those in Rafah have been issued new evacuation orders by the Israeli government.
Israeli forces began a ground offensive in the east of Rafah over two weeks ago.
On Friday, the International Court of Justice’s ordered Israel to end its attacks on Rafah but this has been ignored, and people seeking shelter in the camps have sustained yet another wave of violence. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) stated: “There are reports of mass casualties including children and women among those killed. Gaza is hell on earth. Images from last night are yet another testament to that.”
Last Saturday, an estimated 800 people marched through the city in support of Palestine, with 150 marching to UCC in solidarity with the encampment.
The Cork Rebels for Peace stated that the vigil was open to all: “Let us come together as a community to send a powerful message of peace, hope and support.”