A protest took place on Monday evening outside the United States ambassador’s residence in the Phoenix Park, Dublin where hundreds of people gathered for Independence Day celebrations.
The Irish Anti-War Movement, which organised the protest alongside a number of other groups, said there was nothing to celebrate while the US and other countries were “enabling this mass slaughter and destruction in Gaza”.
US ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin hosted the event on the lawn of the Deerfield Residence to mark the 248th anniversary of the independence of the US, with attendees including former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, current and former Government ministers, TDs and senators.
Entertainment was provided by Michael Flatley, as well as a performance from his Lord of the Dance group, Dropkick Murphys and Abbaesque.
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Addressing the large crowd, Ms Cronin acknowledged the “immense challenges the world is facing today” and said as the US was celebrating its independence, “the people of Ukraine are fighting for theirs”.
“The United States stands with Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territory against Russia’s brutal aggression,” she said.
“And President Biden continues to underscore the urgency of reaching an enduring ceasefire in Gaza, one that will allow for the release of the hostages and for a surge in humanitarian aid and we are working tirelessly to make that happen.”
Ms Cronin added that over the past century the ties between Ireland and the US had “deepened and multiplied”, while the economic partnership had grown tremendously in “both directions”.
“The overall value of our trade and investment relations is $1 trillion – a very big number – and Ireland is the ninth largest foreign director in the US and with no signs of slowing down,” she said.
Outside the US ambassador’s residence, about 50 protesters gathered, calling for sanctions against Israel and for the US to stop sending the country military aid.
Jim Roche, public relations officer with the Irish Anti-War Movement, said: “Let us be very clear – thousands of Palestinians are being slaughtered with US weapons. Yet the US ambassador sees fit to throw a party in one of our public buildings, and our Government sees fit to allow her to do so.”
The group had called on TDs not to attend the event and to “send a clear message to the US ambassador that her government must stop enabling genocide”.
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