Palestinian Prisoners' Day Vigil held at Newry Train Station

A solidarity vigil marking Palestinian Prisoners' Day was held at Newry Train Station on Friday past, 17 April. The event was organised by Newry BDS (Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions).

Following the event Slieve Gullion Councillor Declan Murphy is calling on people to continue showing solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Welcoming the turnout Cllr Murphy said: "Newry BDS organised a well-attended Palestinian Prisoners' Day solidarity vigil event at Newry Train Station. The organisers and all who attended are to be commended for continuing to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and their prisoners. It is important we all do this."

Cllr Murphy also drew attention to the conditions being endured by those held in Israeli prisons. "Palestinian hostages and prisoners are routinely tortured, sexually abused and prevented from accessing basic medical and sanitary treatment, and are held in horrendous conditions. On April 17 each year, Palestinian Prisoners' Day is commemorated to remember the plight of thousands of men, women and children held in Israeli prisons."

He went on to outline the scale of the issue, citing figures from the Palestinian Prisoners' Club. "More than 9,600 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons as of April 2026, according to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club. Among them are 84 women and around 350 children. A shocking 3,532 are held under administrative detention, the largest group imprisoned without charge or trial, often on the basis of 'secret evidence'. This system of internment strips detainees of basic legal rights and leaves families in a constant state of uncertainty."

Cllr Murphy concluded by raising concerns over recent legislative changes in Israel. "With the recent passing of Israeli state legislation enabling the death penalty in so-called 'terror-related' cases, fears are growing that an already unjust system is becoming even more extreme. When indefinite detention without trial exists alongside the threat of execution, the urgency of speaking out has never been greater."

Palestinian Prisoners' Day is marked annually on 17 April.