Elected DUP representatives standing beside masked men at Palestine counter-protest totally unacceptable.
Nicola Grant Workers Party Regional Spokesperson has condemned the behaviour of the protestors against the march for Palestine on Saturday June 6th, saying the presence of elected representatives standing beside masked men was unacceptable.
11th June 2026
The march for Palestine was approved by the Parades Commission, and the organisers had accepted all restrictions placed on it. Those taking part in the 25-mile walk were doing so to highlight the genocide that is still being waged against the Palestinian people by the Zionist government of Isreal. This march had nothing to do with Northern Ireland or its sectarian divisions, it was about demonstrating solidarity in the name of humanity and decency and was peaceful and dignified.
For politicians to claim they were there to stop a bloodbath and to stand with their people and their community is beyond comprehension. The protesters were waving Israeli flags and chanting sectarian slogans at those on the march, which was made up of men women and children young and old many of whom have attended hundreds if not thousands of rallies against the genocide in Gaza and the West Bank in Palestine.
The response to the march was shameful. For elected representatives to stand in the the company of people shouting vile, racist, sectarian, xenophobic abuse and intimidating journalists and then to blame the police for what was happening is the height of hypocrisy and irresponsibility.
Those, who threaten violence against peaceful marchers and journalists should not be provided with political cover. They should be exposed and condemned. No one from the unionist community was under attack on Saturday.
Those on the march were supporting the right of the Palestinian people to a peaceful homeland. When history judges those who stood for humanity and an end to genocide and suffering, and those who stood chanting racist and sectarian slogans and support for the slaughter of thousands of the innocent, which side will you be on?
The Workers Party knows where it stands.
