On the monday a number of Ógra and SF activists attended a well attended rally in Daunt Square, which was attended by a broad cross section of the left in Cork. Despite only a few hours notice, a sizeable crowd assembled and was addressed by, among others, Sinn Féin Cllr Jonathan O'Brien.
The following day saw Ógra activists attending a similar protest in Daunt Square, which was similarly well attended. Following the rally, a number of activists from various organisations (including Ógra) and none, went to Tesco to highlight the fact that Tesco sells a significant amount of Israeli produce. Any Israeli produce in the shop was collected, and stickers placed where they had been, and the Israeli produce was brought to the top of the store and leaflets were handed out to customers highlighting the need for a boycott.
Ógra and Sinn Féin activists continued to attend these rallies through the course of the week, building up to the major rally on Saturday, and are committed to highlighting and encouraging the need for a boycott.
Ógra spokesperson Joe Lynch had this to say, 'Essentially Israel needs to get the same treatment as apartheid South Africa did in the 1980's - it needs to be socially economically, and academically isolated. There is no other way that they are likely to bow to international pressure, unless it is that underwhelming. All these actions advance this cause, even if in just a small way. We will continue to campaign to highlight this, and encourage people to boycott Israeli goods, among the most prominent of these products are Jaffa Oranges, potatoes, and carrots.'
Joe added 'We also believe that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin, should expel the Israeli ambassador, as an example to the world, of what must be done to make Israel see the need for a peace process and for engagement.'
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