Latest news with #IrelandPalestineSolidarityCampaign
BreakingNews.ie
15-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
‘Everybody will follow' Irish ban on Israeli settlements trade, committee told
A ban on trade between Ireland and illegal Israeli settlements will prompt other countries to follow suit, a committee has heard. Irish-Palestinian woman Fatin Al Tamimi, who is vice-chairwoman of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said Ireland passing the Bill would give Palestinians hope. Advertisement 'Ireland, the world is watching. Please do your best to (do) the right thing, to pass this occupied territories Bill and give the Palestinians hope. 'When Ireland starts, everybody will follow on because it's a legal obligation, it's a moral obligation for all countries, including Ireland. 'It is important for Ireland to start, and then everybody will follow.' Israeli, Palestinian and Jewish representatives, including former justice minister Alan Shatter, appeared before TDs and senators on Tuesday to discuss the draft laws. Advertisement Maurice Cohen, chairman of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, said the Bill was 'performance politics dressed as principle' that does not help Palestinians. Describing himself as a Dublin-born Jew, he said that criticism of Israel was not antisemitism, but 'when criticism becomes a campaign and becomes law… we have to pause'. He said the support for the Bill was done in 'good faith' but was not a plan for peace. He said 'selective outrage' was not foreign policy and double standards do not serve peace efforts. Advertisement 'This Bill, in tone and in consequence, isolates moderates and powers extremes and undermines the credibility that Ireland has built as a voice for reason and reconciliation in the field of peacebuilding.' Natasha Hausdorff, a barrister with Ireland Israel Alliance, said the Bill would create 'a government-required partial boycott of Israel'. She said this would force US companies based in Ireland to violate federal anti-boycott laws that could see them given fines or prison sentences. Both Mr Shatter and Ms Hausdorff said they did not accept Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands are illegal. Advertisement Ireland 'How dare you': Alan Shatter criticised in committ... Read More Labour TD Duncan Smith said that as Mr Shatter, Ms Hausdorff and Mr Cohen had not recognised that Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands were illegal, it 'heavily' caveated their evidence. 'I think that's a fundamental point here, in terms of this entire hearing (with Israeli/Jewish representatives), is that there is that fundamental disagreement. 'So we diverge at the very start with all witnesses on this.'
Irish Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
More than 300 sportspeople sign letter urging Central Bank to change stance on approving Israel bonds
More than 300 sporting figures have signed a letter to Swim Ireland chief executive Sarah Keane asking that she use her role as a commissioner of the Central Bank of Ireland to push for a reconsideration of its position in relation to Israeli state bonds. Former rugby internationals John Robbie, Tony Ward and Trevor Hogan along with soccer international Ruesha Littlejohn and Dublin footballer Leah Caffrey are among those to sign the letter. It urges Ms Keane to 'raise the ending of regulation of Israel bonds as a matter of the gravest urgency with the Central Bank of Ireland banking commission or demand an emergency meeting of the banking commission before the renewal date at the end of August'. International footballer James McClean , Olympic boxer Paddy Barnes and former rugby international Jenny Murphy are among the signatories. READ MORE The Central Bank's approval for the prospectus of the bonds is due to be renewed by that time. Helen Mahony, of Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign , said on Thursday the group had written to the Central Bank's commission and each of its individual members three times, but had no response other than a letter from its secretary. This reply acknowledged the correspondence, but said it stood by Gabriel Makhlouf's view that the regulator 'has to approve a prospectus for the offer of securities to the public where it meets the required standards of completeness and consistency'. Bonds are types of financial securities. He said the law 'is also clear that our approval should not be considered an endorsement of the issuer or of the securities'. There is particular disappointment, the Palestine support groups say, that neither Ms Keane nor former senior trade unionist Shay Cody, who is also on the commission, has done more to raise concerns about the bank's position. In their letter, the sporting figures argue the Bank is subject not only to EU banking financial regulations but also to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. 'This is encoded in Irish law in the Genocide Act, 1973,' the letter states. 'Persons contributing to and in the knowledge that genocide is happening are punishable under the Act, whether they are constitutionally responsible rulers, public officials or private individuals. 'The link between dead Palestinians and the Central Bank is a straight line.' Former rugby international Trevor Hogan said on Thursday: 'For me, it feels like they're hiding behind the regulations. 'There's a wider legal interpretation that they could take, and I also think there's a sporting and human angle [against which] they could reconsider what they're doing here. They could just take a stand and say, 'Sorry, no, we're not going to sign this'.' People need to 'push hard like we did with South Africa in the apartheid era,' he said. 'Everyone knew the kind of right and wrong there and we're at that stage now.' The appeal to Ms Keane, he said, was not intended to personalise the issue, but was based in part on her connection to sport and appreciation of the way it, along with so many aspects of normal daily life, has been completely devastated. Former basketball international Rebecca O'Keeffe said: 'Over 800 athletes and sports personnel have murdered so far in the West Bank and Gaza , since October 2023, over 470 of them football players, yet we see Fifa saying nothing.'
Irish Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Four arrested and three cautioned following protests against pro-Gaza march
Four men have been arrested in Co Down following what police have termed a minor disorder associated with a protest against a march for Gaza. Activists took part in a Great March for Gaza event on Saturday from Lurgan to Omeath, designed to symbolise the length of the Gaza Strip during a demonstration and fundraising event. However, disorder broke out as the march passed through the village of Scarva where a counter-protest was held. Police said four men were arrested following minor disorder associated with the Scarva portion of the event. Three men were also cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry. In Newry, a flag believed to be associated with a prescribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police. Superintendent Norman Haslett said it was an appropriate and proportionate operation. "Police officers were in attendance at an event which commenced in Lurgan and continued into Newry on Saturday June 7," he said. "We were also present at a number of protests that were held in connection with this event. "Three males were cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry and four males were arrested following minor disorder associated with a protest held at the Main Street in Scarva. "These protests had not been notified to the Parades Commission as required by law and officers issued warnings to this effect. "An evidence-gathering operation was in place and we will now review the footage gathered and consider any potential offences. "In Newry, a flag believed to be associated with a prescribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police and this is subject to an ongoing police investigation. "This was an appropriate and proportionate policing operation to ensure that the safety of everyone involved was maintained and that the law was upheld." Sinn Fein Upper Bann MLA John O'Dowd commended the Lurgan branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) for organising the march. "On Saturday, thousands walked the equivalent length of the Gaza Strip to show our support for the defenceless civilians of Palestine who continue to face displacement, ethnic cleansing and starvation," he said. "It is no longer acceptable to stand by while Israel commits war crimes. Those complicit must finally act to end this campaign of murder and terror. "I want to commend Lurgan IPSC and all who helped make Saturday's march a success. "Unfortunately, a number of Israeli flags were placed along the route, as well as some protesters, but this did not affect the spirit or determination of those taking part. "We must continue to increase pressure on the international community to isolate Israel through boycott, divestment and sanctions until its systematic genocidal policies are brought to an end."
Sunday World
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Four arrests following protests against pro-Gaza march as cops probe terror flag
There was a heavy police presence at the 'Great March for Gaza' Four men have been arrested following disorder at a pro-Palestine protest and counter demonstrations in Co Armagh over the weekend. There was a heavy police presence at the 'Great March for Gaza' as hundreds of activists made their way through Lurgan, Bleary, Moneypenny Bridge, Scarva, Portadown, Newry, and Victoria Lock on Saturday. Those walking the 25 mile route – which is the same length of the Gaza Strip – to raise funds for Palestinian aid encountered counter demonstrations as they passed through three counties. Police confirmed three other men were cautioned in relation to the event which was organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) Lurgan, in collaboration with IPSC branches in Mid Ulster, Newry, Armagh, Portadown, and Louth. They also said a flag believed to represent a proscribed terror group was confiscated from a parade participant and is the subject of an ongoing investigation. Superintendent Norman Haslett said: 'We were also present at a number of protests that were held in connection with this event. "Three males were cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry and four males were arrested following minor disorder associated with a protest held at the Main Street in Scarva. "These protests had not been notified to the Parades Commission as required by law and officers issued warnings to this effect. An evidence-gathering operation was in place and we will now review the footage gathered and consider any potential offences. 'In Newry, a flag believed to be associated with a prescribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police and this is subject to an ongoing police investigation. "This was an appropriate and proportionate policing operation to ensure that the safety of everyone involved was maintained and that the law was upheld.' (Alamy/PA) Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025
Belfast Telegraph
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Four arrests after disorder at ‘Great March for Gaza' protest in Co Armagh as police probe terror flag
There was a heavy police presence at the 'Great March for Gaza' as hundreds of activists made their way through Lurgan, Bleary, Moneypenny Bridge, Scarva, Portadown, Newry, and Victoria Lock on Saturday. Those walking the 25 mile route – which is the same length of the Gaza Strip – to raise funds for Palestinian aid encountered counter demonstrations as they passed through three counties. Police confirmed three other men were cautioned in relation to the event which was organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) Lurgan, in collaboration with IPSC branches in Mid Ulster, Newry, Armagh, Portadown, and Louth. They also said a flag believed to represent a proscribed terror group was confiscated from a parade participant and is the subject of an ongoing investigation. Superintendent Norman Haslett said: 'We were also present at a number of protests that were held in connection with this event. "Three males were cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry and four males were arrested following minor disorder associated with a protest held at the Main Street in Scarva. "These protests had not been notified to the Parades Commission as required by law and officers issued warnings to this effect. An evidence-gathering operation was in place and we will now review the footage gathered and consider any potential offences. 'In Newry, a flag believed to be associated with a prescribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police and this is subject to an ongoing police investigation. "This was an appropriate and proportionate policing operation to ensure that the safety of everyone involved was maintained and that the law was upheld.'
