'It's not a fringe opinion': Irish people on why they stand with Palestine
In the last few weeks Irish musicians Kneecap and the Murder Capital have made headlines for expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine, as Israeli airstrikes continue and Palestinians starve due to aid being blocked from entering the Gaza Strip.
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Agriland
7 minutes ago
- Agriland
Opinion: Irish tillage sector has been left in limbo
Irish tillage farmers have become increasingly frustrated at the lack of strategic vision coming from government regarding the future direction of their industry. And, truth be told, they have more than a valid point. Recent days have seen leading representatives from the Irish Grain Growers' Group (IGGG) expressing their views in terms of what is really going on within tillage at the present time. Their annoyance centres on a number of fundamental realities. Firstly, farmers committed to the growing of crops cannot generate sustainable incomes. And, in turn, this is leading to growers leaving the industry or, at the very least, actively considering their futures in it. But it was all supposed to be so very different. Prior to the last general election, the two main parties in the current government – Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil – each promised an additional €300 million of support for tillage during the lifetime of this Dáil. This works out at some €60 million per year. But, so far, there has been no indication of these monies being made available to growers in any sense. And, of course, prior to all of this, we had the publication of the National Climate Action Plan, within which is a commitment to grow Ireland's tillage sector to 400,000ha by 2030, a mere four years' time. Currently, the industry is just about treading water in terms of its geographic footprint. However, another bad harvest in 2025 could send the sector into a life support scenario. Meanwhile, everyone agrees that the tillage industry has an exceptionally low carbon footprint. And, on that basis alone, its future must be ring-fenced and further encouraged. Irish tillage There are lots of reasons why tillage farmers feel sore about the ways in which they feel politics has failed them. A case in point is the Food Vision Tillage Group. It was set up by the previous government and seen by many as the 'great white horse', empowered to map out a clear future for arable farming in Ireland. However, its report has come and gone with no formal response to its recommendations coming from either the current or previous administrations. And, of course, actions – or lack of them – always speak louder than words. Recent days have seen Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon chair an international agriculture and climate conference at which he highlighted the need for the development of more sustainable and climate-friendly food production practices into the future. It all strikes me as the perfect prelude for the minister to now issue his strategic vision for the future of tillage in Ireland.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Do right thing Donald Trump' – Enormous ‘Free Palestine' message scrawled in sand at Doonbeg as plea issued for US pres
AN enormous 350-foot wide message reading "Free Palestine" was scrawled in the sand at a beach in front of US President Donald Trump's golf resort in Co Clare this week. A trio of activists wrote the temporary message in response to Israeli attacks in 3 'Free Palestine' message in the sand near Trump's hotel Credit: Sean Corcoran 3 Each letter in the sand art stood at about 40 foot tall Credit: Sean Corcoran Sean Corcoran, who worked alongside two friends to create the sand art on Doughmore Strand in He told RTE: "Israel's actions are being made possible by the USA and other countries who continue to supply them military equipment." Sean continued: "I chose the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg as a poignant location for this installation. I thought I would use the privilege I am afforded in this democracy to voice my opinion. "I believe a turning point has been reached and politicians will need to start responding to growing public outrage. READ MORE IRISH NEWS "The USA and other countries need to stop supporting Israel. "We all need to insist on a ceasefire. Do the right thing Each letter in the sand art, which Sean's friends James Corcoran Hodgins and Caoláin Power assisted him with, stood at about 40 foot tall. But Sean, who is a regular visitor to the US on art projects, admitted that the message at Donald Trump's golf course in Ireland could land him in trouble if he tries to return to America. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN He said: "If the Trump administration decided that my opinions and actions on the sand are anti-Semitic, it's possible that I would be detained or deported if I try to return." Moment dozens of pro-Palestine protesters are arrested at gates of Government The for Irish people heading to the US in general has not changed , Simon Harris previously confirmed. However, the Tanaiste said that this advice will be kept "under constant review". He added that people have seen "scenes from across America in terms of protest", specifically when it comes to He said: "It's important when you go to any jurisdiction to consider the local situation, the local laws, to consider if what is acceptable in Ireland is acceptable in the country that you are visiting and to also know, specifically in relation to the TRAVEL RISK The in Ireland, which represents over 350,000 students, has The USI said: "While activism is a vital part of student life and a right that should be protected, it is important that students fully understand the possible consequences for their visa status, including the risk of deportation, and take steps to safeguard their participation in such activities." Separately, A US- and Israeli-backed group handing out aid in Gaza said all its distribution sites were closed until further notice. The group urged residents to stay away from these venues "for their safety" after a series of deadly shootings. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said that a reopening date would be announced at a later time. 3 Sean Corcoran worked alongside two friends to create the sand art on Doughmore Strand in Doonbeg Credit: Sean Corcoran
The Journal
3 hours ago
- The Journal
Israeli-backed Gaza aid sites closed as IDF issues evacuation warnings ahead of attack
ISRAELI-BACKED AID group Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has closes its centres in the territory as the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for some parts of Gaza City ahead of an attack. In a statement on Facebook, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said all its sites for aid distribution are closed and that an opening date will be announced on the Facebook page. The so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is an Israeli and US-backed private organisation. The UN and NGOs have refused to cooperate with the GHF, saying the project contravenes humanitarian principles and appears designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. The GHF chief quit his role just before it began operations, citing similar concerns. Last week, one person was killed and another 48 were injured , mostly by Israeli gunfire, at another aid distribution hub run by the GHF. And over the weekend, 31 people were killed by Israeli fire while waiting for food from the GHF near Rafah, according to the civil defence agency. Meanwhile, the Israeli military today issued an evacuation order for residents of parts of Gaza City ahead of an attack. 'This is a final and urgent warning ahead of an impending strike,' army spokesman Avichay Adraee said. The army 'will strike all areas from which rockets are launched.' The evacuation order comes at the beginning of the Eid al-Adha holiday, one of the main religious festivals of the Muslim calendar. Advertisement The Israeli military has recently stepped up its campaign in Gaza in what it says is a renewed push to defeat Hamas, whose October 2023 attack sparked the current war. International calls for a negotiated ceasefire have grown in recent weeks. Hamas's lead negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya said yesterday that the Palestinian Islamist group was ready to enter a new round of talks aimed at sealing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Talks aimed at brokering a new ceasefire have failed to yield a breakthrough since the last brief truce fell apart in March with the resumption of Israeli operations in Gaza. Israel and Hamas appeared close to an agreement late last month, but a deal proved elusive, with each side accusing the other of scuppering a US-backed proposal. Israel has faced mounting pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, after it imposed a more than two-month blockade that led to widespread shortages of food and other essentials. Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians. According to the health ministry in Gaza, at least 4,402 people have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive on 18 March, taking the war's overall toll to 54,677, mostly civilians. - © AFP 2025 Need more information on what is happening in Israel and Palestine? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to navigating the news online. Visit Knowledge Bank
