Bloody Sunday Trust congratulates Derry for Palestine donations

“The people of the city are to be congratulated.”

These were the words of a clearly delighted Maeve McLaughlin, Director of the Bloody Sunday Trust, paying tribute to the people of Derry and all who donated to the organisation’s Medical Aid Appeal for Palestine.

The appeal, which took place during Christmas and the Bloody Sunday 2024 anniversary programme, raised a fantastic £17,266.01 for the Palestinian Medical Relief Society.

Speaking to Derry News, Maeve described the total as “a significant amount from a small organisation” and one which may increase in the future.

She said: “The cause of Palestine has always been one that is close to Ireland. As the Bloody Sunday Trust, we reflected, even as far back as the 50th anniversary, on how we could use our lessons and learnings here to shine a spotlight on injustices elsewhere and the obvious place for that attention was Palestine.

“We had a Christmas Appeal. We said to people, ‘Rather than buying that extra box of chocolates or extra selection box - no matter what size your donation is, make a wee donation to our appeal and all the money raised will go to the Palestinian Medical Relief Society.

“We then extended it. During the recent Bloody Sunday anniversary programme, which included our annual lecture - delivered by Omar Barghouti co-founder of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) campaign - all admissions, online and in-person, were added to our Medical Aid Appeal for Palestine appeal.

“On top of that, we were also selling Christmas cards and badges in aid of the appeal,” said Maeve.

Considering the horrendous situation in Palestine, Maeve said: “People genuinely feel a helplessness when they watch the horror on the screens, even this last number of days. 

“The onslaught is horrendous - the scale, the horrific brutality being meted out to the people there.

“But then, when we reflect on the number of people who are letting their voices be heard; when we look at the thousands and thousands of people who are out on the streets and who won’t be silenced; when we look at the impact of the BDS campaign, it is all significant.

“There is no doubt the impact of the protest is massive, especially on some of the bigger brands like Starbucks and McDonald's. People Power can definitely have a positive effect.”

Maeve added that considering the ongoing devastation of the health service and hospitals in Palestine, the donation to the Palestinian Medical Relief Society would be “a ripple in a huge, huge pond”.

She said: “Nonetheless, it is important the money should go directly to the Palestinian Medical Relief Society to decide where it would be best used.”

Turning to the impending destruction of Rafha, in southern Palestine, Maeve said there was a sense of “despair amongst people”.

“The Irish Government needs to step up on this as well,” said Maeve. “It really does. 

“Words at this stage are no longer enough. There needs to be action. 

“Bloody Sunday Trust is part of the Irish Anti Apartheid Campaign, which comprises 20 plus organisations, civic society, human rights organisations across the Island of Ireland. 

“We met again last week and the dominating thing was that the recent findings of the International Court of Justice have been ignored,” she added.

“I just can’t comprehend how people are sitting waiting for this attack to take place on Rafha.

“We know, Ireland has suffered through conflict and we recognise the many years - and it is still ongoing work - needed to undo that and undo that legacy and undo that pain and struggle, all those things combined.

“I just don’t know how people in Palestine can come to a point where they can actually physically rebuild their country, never mind mentally and emotionally rebuild, after all they have gone and are going through.

“It is beyond words. The Irish Government in many ways has said the right words but there really needs to be action around this. There is a sense there are no words to express the horror of the situation. It leaves you speechless. 

“People power can have an impact but the unfortunate thing is, while there is People power, while there is a very strong lobby and a united voice around this issue, the superpowers remain the superpowers and that is the real challenge.”