Pro-Palestine campaigners stage protest during SoS visit to Derry

A small group of pro-Palestinian campaigners staged a protest during the Secretary of State's visit to Derry yesterday.

Hilary Benn was in the city yesterday for his first official visit in his role as NI Secretary since the Labour Party's landslide victory in the general election earlier this month.

Campaigners, which included Derry and Strabane District councillors Shaun Harkin and Gary Donnelly, held the protest outside of the Playhouse.

Cllr Harkin described the Secretary of State as a 'hypocrite' over the UK government's stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

"There can be no business as usual when the British government arms a genocide and covers up Israel’s war crimes in Gaza," Cllr Harkin said. "Benn is a hypocrite who talks peace but justifies providing more arms for Israel’s genocide.

"We challenged him on his government's complicity with Israel’s genocide and commend those attending the meeting who also challenged him directly on Britain's continued military support for Israel. 

"Benn's party leader endorsed Israel's genocide in Gaza and his government continues to arm the Israeli regime.

"Starmer and Benn claim to support a ceasefire, talk about reviving the failed so-called two-state solution and recognising the Palestinian state but this is all talk.

"While Starmer and his cabinet attempt to distract us, they continue to support Israel and oppose efforts to hold Netanyahu and his criminal regime to account. 

"David Lammy's smiling handshake with the butcher Netanyahu tells us all we need to know as to what side Starmer and Benn are on. 

"Benn and others want us to forget what's happening in Gaza. We won't. We will continue to use our platform to expose their complicity and lies." 

Cllr Harkin urged people to attend the Derry IPSC organised Rally for Gaza on Saturday evening at Free Derry Corner.