Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters marched through Belfast city centre on Saturday afternoon, targeting businesses they claim support Israel or its military operation in Gaza. The demonstration disrupted traffic and shoppers as it wove through the city centre.
Organisers led chants outside specific company buildings including Starbucks, Barclays, Axa and Leonardo Hotels, accusing them of supporting genocide. The protesters moved systematically through the commercial district to make their opposition known.
Call for boycott action
During speeches held outside the BBC Northern Ireland offices, demonstrators were urged to refuse Israeli products from 18th September. Workers were specifically called upon to boycott products by Teva, an Israeli pharmaceutical multinational.
Some protesters made subtle references to Palestine Action, though there was no major reference to the group which has been deemed a proscribed organisation by the UK Government. Three women were seen wearing t-shirts bearing the separate words "I Support", "Palestine" and "Action".
Demonstrations across Britain and Ireland
In central London, tensions flared during a separate pro-Palestine demonstration when elderly people were arrested for sitting behind placards that said "I support Palestine Action". The arrests highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding the proscribed group.
A pro-Palestine demonstration was also held in Dublin, with crowds marching from the US embassy to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Additional protests took place in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Carlow and Navan, all organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
