Latest news with #BoycottDivestmentSanctions
New York Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Mamdani's Delicate Quest to Become New York City's First Muslim Mayor
After a day partially spent celebrating Eid al-Adha with Muslims across the city, Zohran Mamdani sat inside a West Village church on Friday for a friendly town hall on confronting corporate greed. Roughly 10 minutes in, a protester loudly disrupted the event. When he was done, a second protester jumped in. Both took offense at Mr. Mamdani's position on the Israel-Gaza war; his characterization of Israel's actions as a genocide has become a wedge issue in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. But the protesters complained that Mr. Mamdani had not gone far enough. They said he was too soft on Israel, objecting to his stance that Israel had a right to exist as a nation. Mr. Mamdani, they said, had strayed from his Muslim roots. The candidate took immediate offense. 'To call into question how I consider myself Muslim,' he said, 'is a step too far.' For Mr. Mamdani, running to be New York City's first mayor of Muslim faith has involved a delicate balancing act, especially as the war in Gaza drags on. His faith has always been a central part of his political identity, dating to his first campaign for State Assembly. But his various stances related to the war — he supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement; believes the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, should be arrested; and does not equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism — have proved divisive during the campaign and have sometimes drawn attention to his religion. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
New year-long national convention on the future of education to focus on students' needs
A year-long national convention on the future of education, expected to be the largest of its kind in the history of the State, is to be launched in the next school year. The convention, to be launched by education minister Helen McEntee, will be led by an independent chair. The last national convention on education was passed more than 30 years ago, in 1994. The process is expected to focus strongly on young people achieving their full potential as a theme, and how best to 'equip young people to thrive and succeed' considering rapid advancements in technology. The group will also examine the needs of the teacher workforce in the future, school leadership and achieving an inclusive education system. It is expected the convention will be addressed by a number of groups, each with their own chair, representing children and young people, education stakeholders, including teachers, and parents. The convention will also hear from employers and civil society groups. At the INTO annual congress on Tuesday, Ms McEntee said she planned to establish the convention as 'serious thought' needed to be given to the role and capacity of schools. This includes those who work in them as well as 'the evolving needs of students, with a technological revolution under way, a rise in intolerance and existential threats to our democracies worldwide". Meanwhile, the minister was greeted by primary school teachers calling for Government action on the Occupied Territories Bill as she arrived at the union's annual congress in Galway on Tuesday. There, the union passed a motion endorsing the Boycott Divestment Sanctions campaign, and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, while adapting a resolution that 'utterly condemns the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. Addressing the conference, Ms McEntee said: "Too many children in the world are living in poverty, are experiencing war and upheaval from the safe haven of their homes." In particular, the children of Gaza, she said, who are "living through unimaginable pain" and experiencing hunger and loss like you could never imagine. Funding, workload and assault leave were high on the agenda as the INTO continued its annual congress of delegates into its second day. The primary capitation grant must rise to €400 per pupil, and every other school grant must increase substantially too, INTO general secretary John Boyle said in his address to delegates. 'Right now, we have more vulnerable children in our classrooms than ever,' he said. 'Those with additional needs, those experiencing poverty and homelessness, refugees, asylum seekers and those from marginalised communities." While the OECD has praised Ireland's education system, it has also flagged major gaps, he added. This includes teacher retention in disadvantaged schools, lack of counselling supports, and underrepresentation of marginalised groups among teachers. He also called on the minister to launch the new Deis plus scheme in time for September. Read More ASTI members to be balloted on industrial action over Leaving Cert reform talks
Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
McEntee addresses INTO as Gaza protests greet her Galway appearance
The Minister for Education was greeted by primary school teachers calling for Government action on the Occupied Territories Bill as she arrived at the union's annual congress in Galway this morning. Helen McEntee made her first address as minister for education to the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) this Tuesday morning as almost 1,000 delegates gathered in Galway. On Monday evening, the union passed a motion endorsing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people while adopting a resolution that 'utterly condemns the ongoing genocide in Gaza.' The motion received strong support from those attending. Protesters standing outside the Galmont Hotel on Tuesday morning held placards and chanted: "Occupation no more." Addressing the conference, minister McEntee said: "Too many children in the world are living in poverty, are experiencing war and upheaval from the safe haven of their homes." In particular, the children of Gaza, she said, who are "living through unimaginable pain" and experiencing hunger and loss like you could never imagine. I think again of the late Pope Francis who phoned Gaza's Holy Family parish every evening since October 2023 and his views were very clear: war is a defeat." "Make no mistake, what we are seeing on our television screens every single evening is a war on children unfolding before our very eyes." The Government is "absolutely committed" to its objectives and goals. "There must be a permanent ceasefire agreed. All hostages must be released, peace must be negotiated. Above all else, this barbarity on our children must end." Read More INTO congress endorses Boycott Divestment Sanctions campaign in support of Palestinian people
Irish Examiner
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
INTO congress endorses Boycott Divestment Sanctions campaign in support of Palestinian people
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has endorsed the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) campaign, and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people while adapting a resolution that 'utterly condemns the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. The motion debated at the primary school teachers' union annual congress received strong support from delegates in attendance, with many highlighting the 'catastrophic impact' of attacks on Palestinians, the destruction of schools and the targeting of educators. Attendees to the annual trade union congress in Galway were asked to support the 'morally urgent motion' in light of the 'deliberate and systematic' destruction in the West Bank. Teachers were asked to bring the message back to schools, by 'standing in solidarity' with children in Palestine by supporting the BDS movement and becoming an 'apartheid-free zone' by delegates who spoke in favour. 'Systematic destruction' INTO general secretary John Boyle said: 'As an education union, we are horrified by the systematic destruction of the Palestinian education system.' Schools must never be military targets, and educators must never be placed in harm's way. Education is a human right that must be protected, even in times of conflict The INTO said it welcomed recent engagement between the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese. 'The union has called on the Irish Government and the European Union to take immediate action, including the implementation of sanctions and the suspension of bilateral agreements with Israel in response to its continued breaches of international law.' The resolution endorsed by delegates endorses: The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement as a vital instrument in the global campaign against apartheid in Palestine; The ICTU's call for the immediate enactment of the Occupied Territories Bill; And the mobilisation of EU funding to support the rebuilding of the Palestinian education system under Palestinian control.
