On Thursday 25th February Fórsa supported a demonstration at Dáil Éireann calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The event was organised by a group of healthcare workers who had drafted an open letter to the government on the current crisis in the area.

Workers from all health disciplines signed the letter which was presented to politicians in attendance outside Leinster House. The letter highlighted the serious humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region and called on the Irish government to take a more active role in addressing the situation.

The petition stated “We call on Ireland, as a party to the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention, to act in line with her values and the specific obligation to prevent genocide.”

The grassroots campaign group was formed earlier this year and collected the signatures of over 1,000 healthcare workers in just two days.

Speakers at the event highlighted their disappointment with Ireland’s response to date and described a lack of action by government as being unacceptable.

Fórsa member of the Dublin Care Services branch Mark Kerins said: “We sent a letter to government ministers to ask for a ceasefire and also to support the South African case in the International Criminal Court.

“I'm proud to be here as a trade union member, as a health care worker, and support the healthcare workers in Gaza. It's important the union gets behind us to use our power and numbers to enact change not just in our society, but also in solidarity with other people around the globe.”

You can read the full letter here.

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