Thousands witness protest over Israeli Piracy and Murder

Ógra and Sinn Féin activists from across South Tyrone converged on the Ballygawley Roundabout for a spontaneous protest on Monday evening from 5pm until 6pm catching thousands of motorists in the busy rush hour traffic.

The protesters carried home made signs and banners condemning Israel's actions, and the re-elected local MP, Michelle Gildernew addressed the passing traffic with the aid of a PA system, with many beeping their horns in support.

The protest was held in response and in anger at the massacre and slaughter of humanitarian aid workers earlier that morning by Israeli soldiers. Up to 19 humanitarian workers were murdered and more than 30 injured as Israeli soldiers boarded an aid flotilla and opened fire.

The flotilla which was in International waters at the time of the attack, has 6 ships with hundreds of humanitarian aid workers from across the world, including Ireland, and was carrying 10,000 tonnes of medicine, food, fuel and clothes for the impoverished and besieged men, women and children of Gaza. Many of the aid workers are currently detained by Israel.

Speaking in outrage at Israel's state sponsored murder, South Tyrone Ógra activist Laura Gildernew said,

"We awoke to the terrible and tragic news that 19 humanitarian aid workers had been massacred by Israeli soldiers as they were enroute to delivering much needed aid to the starving and impoverished people of Gaza. Ógra Shinn Féin and the local party set about organising a spontaneous protest in condemnation of this atrocity and in solidarity with the victims and the people of Palestine."

"This attack sets a new low for the already notorious fascist state of Israel, not content with butchering over 1000 men, women and children last Christmas in the Gaza strip, their genocidal rage has ensured they are now murdering those wishing to bring aid and ease the suffering of the very same people who the Israeli's bombarded, maimed and killed. The International Community and the Irish people must condemn this for the piracy and the murder that it is. Israel illegally boarded the flotilla in international waters and in direct contravention of human rights and international law butchered 19 Humanitarian workers and injured more, this cannot be tolerated, we are asking people to support all demonstrations over the coming period and to put pressure on the Dublin Government to expel the Israeli Ambassador."