A group of artists living on Inis Oirr projected the words ‘Free Palestine’ onto the Inis Oirr lighthouse last week to show their solidarity with the people of Palestine.
The anonymous group created the spectacle to mark a new campaign by Feachtas Don Phalaistin Inis Oirr and Offshore Islands for Free Palestine to encourage all of Ireland’s 23 inhabited offshore islands to pledge to boycott Israel, support the BDS movement and declare themselves Apartheid-Free Zones.
The Offshore Islands for Free Palestine campaign started between Palestine solidarity groups made up of residents on Inis Oi?rr and Inishbofin – which have a populations of 343 and 184, respectively – and groups on both islands have been running vigils, fundraisers and information campaigns in recent months.
With this campaign they are encouraging people living on our islands to take action to show their solidarity with Palestine and to send a strong message that even small areas can make a big difference.
The world has watched in horror for almost 8 months as the Israeli occupation have been committing a ‘plausible genocide’ on Palestinians according to the ICJ. Over 35,000 people have been killed, 10,000 more believed to be under rubble, over 2 million people displaced, and at least half of all of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Ireland has now recognised the State of Palestine but it has the opportunity to do a lot more to take real action to support Palestine.
The group’s aims are to encourage businesses, clubs, co-ops and local administrative and community development centres on all islands - as well as small towns and villages in Ireland – to respond to the call from Palestinian civil society, join the BDS movement and boycott Israeli goods, products and services. Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, the BDS call urges action to pressure Israel to comply with international law. They want to encourage all business and institutions to divest from Israeli companies that profit from human rights abuses and ultimately to put pressure on the Irish government to impose sanctions on Israel.
People can sign up to become an Apartheid-Free Zone at apartheidfree.ieIndividuals or groups on offshore islands who wish to get involved in the campaign should follow @offshore islands4freepalestine on Instagram or email offshorei [email protected]
