Activists protesting against Israel’s blockade of Gaza have taken their campaign to the capital’s busiest supermarkets.
There was a mixed response from customers in several city centre stores as members of the Irish Anti-War movement loaded trolleys with Israeli fruit and vegetables to promote a boycott of the country’s produce.
Gardai and security staff at branches of Marks and Spencer, Dunnes Stores and Tesco intervened as the campaigners emptied shelves and distributed leaflets calling for an end to the blockade.
Outside the supermarkets, larger groups of protesters waved flags and banners in support of the war-torn territory.
Among the activists was Libyan-born Isam Bin Ali, one of a number of Irish citizens deported from the recent Gaza Freedom flotilla.
Organiser Jim Roche said similar boycott demonstrations were planned for coming weeks.
“We had a good reaction from shoppers and even from some of the workers in the stores – the campaign is gaining ground,” he said.
“We need to keep the pressure on because what happened with the flotilla was an outrage.
“We’re calling on the Irish Government to impose sanctions on Israel, expel the Israeli ambassador and break off all economic ties with Israel.”
