Martin Niemoller, a pastor in Germany before world war two, wrote a poem about the Nazi rise to power which challenged the silence of those in Germany who would not speak out against what was morally reprehensible, and ultimately were left with the aftermath of fascism.

‘First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.’

With the death toll rising and sitting now at close to 400 people, the latest assaults on the Palestinian people by Israel are the most devastating in decades. The destruction and devastation to every facet of Palestinian life is indescribable. Whilst most people in the western, so called ‘civilised’ world planned Christmas parties and bought gifts for family and friends, the Israeli government put the final tweaks on their brutal plan to attack Gaza, knowing that the world would be silent, not least because it was unaware.

With the complicit silence of every European government not to mention the tactical, financial and military support of many including the worlds hyper power - the USA - rockets and bombs rain down on men women and children living in the poorest region on earth. Not one of the ‘western’ governments has taken the morally right position of absolute condemnation of the Israeli regimes barbarity.

However, activists across the world are not allowing their governments silence to go unchallenged. Across Europe people are organising rallies and demonstrations to highlight the ongoing atrocities in Palestine. These must continue. In Ireland and across the world rallies have been organised and more are in process.

UNISON’s community and voluntary branch encourages everyone, members and non members, to come out and add your voice to the many and growing voices crying for justice and peace in Palestine.

A demonstration in solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza will be held this Saturday, 3rd January in Dublin. The protest will begin with speeches at 1pm at the Central Bank Plaza, then march to the Dáil (Kildare Street), the EU Offices (Molesworth Street), and finish up with a rally at the Spire on O'Connell Street - which will feature a live phone-link to Gaza.

We encourage all who can, to attend, and commend the many UNISON activists, and others, who made their way to Belfast city hall on Monday to speak out in support of Palestinians.

For more information on how you can support the Palestinian people visit -

www.ipsc.ie