Frank Godfrey is no stranger to public protests, for years he has taken to the streets to protest on many issues but until now they have all been local matters. In recent days however he has turned his attention to international affairs and added his voice to the many calls for a ceasefire in Palestine.
“The fighting must stop now this is all about a land grab” Frank said in a follow up message. “It is sad to see the conflict and horror going on. Stop the genocide in Gaza. Israel is an apartheid state.
“Nowhere in Gaza is safe” he added, “Netanyahu and the Israeli government must be held accountable for the slaughter of 20,000 Palestinians. They are living in desperate conditions, and the destruction of Gaza must stop” he warned.
“The hostages should be released. Gaza is becoming a graveyard for thousands of children, and for those alive it’s hell on earth.”
Uncharitable people may say that Frank is the arch publicity seeker but when we asked him about his connections to the Palestinian question he told Drogheda Life that back in 1986 he visited Israel as a Councillor and visited Jerusalem, Gaza and Nazareth and he remembers well the tensions and the violence he encountered.
“I was carrying Jesus’ cross through the streets of Jerusalem, when suddenly a group of anti-Christians attacked the pilgrim procession” he said. “One of them spat in my face, and a number of them got physical and assaulted the pilgrims.
“One of the things I recall was talking to two Israeli soldiers, looking at the powerful guns they were holding. One with his finger on the trigger. Even looking back 27 years ago, it was a very hostile place.
“I witnessed some young Palestinians being rounded up, and some youths throwing stones at the Israeli soldiers.
“Another memory was seeing a number of bullet shells, I collected some of them from the street and I have one to this day. But the big surprise, was when I went into a Catholic church in Nazareth.
“Inside the church, walking around, I met a Franciscan brother, while I was talking to him about the church and Nazareth, he asked “where are you guys from?”, and I replied “Ireland”.
“What part of Ireland”, he said to me. I said “Drogheda”, and he replied “I’m from Drogheda too”, which was unbelievable.
“He told me his name was Brother McEvoy from Narrow West Street. His sister, Eva, was well known as an animal welfare activist. The holy land was an unforgettable experience.”
