Latest news with #NationalFamineCommemoration
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
‘A disgrace and a slander' - President Higgins on critics of Netanyahu's policies being labelled antisemitic
Speaking at Bord Bia Bloom 2025 in what will be his last time as Ireland's president, he called for immediate action to help the starving people of Gaza. President Higgins, who visited Gaza in 2006, was heavily critical of the inaction of some other nations, given Israel's heavy-handed military tactics on a nation enduring starvation and famine-like conditions. 'There are nine countries still holding back on even a ceasefire. What is happening in Gaza at the moment? Well the nation's 81pc of people have been displaced,' he told the Irish Independent. 'They have been put into temporary accommodation that is being bombed. Their soil is being destroyed, their hospitals have been bombed.' He spoke about the unfairness that if someone spoke out against Israel's stance on Gaza and the Palestinians, they were labelled antisemitic. He and others naturally condemned the October 7 2023 attacks by Hamas but 'if you criticise President Netanyahu's policies, you are then described as being antisemitic'. 'That is a disgrace and a slander. And it has been a slander against Ireland, against individuals, including myself, people who have worked all their lives in relation to human rights activity,' he said. He also alleged that a 'propaganda campaign against Ireland is now active in the United States'. 'So that when we are seeking to have meetings with people interested in investing in Ireland, they are being contacted in advance with suggestions saying, 'You must open by asking (them), 'Why is Ireland so against the United States' position on Israel?'' He referenced his recent speech at the National Famine Commemoration in Limerick's Kilmallock. He spoke at the time about the failures of the UN Security Council and said it was time for the UN General Assembly to step in. ADVERTISEMENT 'If the Security Council doesn't act, the General Assembly can have special measures for peace. It can have a special session and it can over-ride the security council,' he said. 'And in fact contrary to what has been said - that this has only been used in the case of Korea – it has been used 11 times. And now is the time. Today is the day for food and medical aid and water to be made available and I salute all those who are trying to do that.' He also spoke about the controversial US and Israeli-backed aid group, the Gaza Aid Foundation, whose chief Jake Wood resigned this week. 'Its head has resigned because he has said he cannot work with an agency that's not in accordance with international law, that militarises aid and so on,' he said. He also said there was little hope of the Gazans being able to produce their own food in the near future. 'You have to remember the devastation being imposed on the Palestinian people by rendering the land of Gaza unusable. Figures show that nearly 80pc of it cannot produce food again,' he said.
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
‘A disgrace and a slander' - President Higgins on criticisms of Netanyahu's policies being labelled anti-Semitic
Speaking at Bord Bia Bloom 2025 in what will be his last time as Ireland's president, he called for immediate action to help the starving people of Gaza. President Higgins, who visited Gaza in 2006, was heavily critical of the inaction of some other nations, given Israel's heavy-handed military tactics on a nation enduring starvation and famine-like conditions. 'There are nine countries still holding back on even a ceasefire. What is happening in Gaza at the moment? Well the nation's 81pc of people have been displaced,' he told the Irish Independent. 'They have been put into temporary accommodation that is being bombed. Their soil is being destroyed, their hospitals have been bombed.' He spoke about the unfairness that if someone spoke out against Israel's stance on Gaza and the Palestinians, they were labelled antisemitic. He and others naturally condemned the October 7 2023 attacks by Hamas but 'if you criticise President Netanyahu's policies, you are then described as being antisemitic'. 'That is a disgrace and a slander. And it has been a slander against Ireland, against individuals, including myself, people who have worked all their lives in relation to human rights activity,' he said. He also alleged that a 'propaganda campaign against Ireland is now active in the United States'. 'So that when we are seeking to have meetings with people interested in investing in Ireland, they are being contacted in advance with suggestions saying, 'You must open by asking (them), 'Why is Ireland so against the United States' position on Israel?'' He referenced his recent speech at the National Famine Commemoration in Limerick's Kilmallock. He spoke at the time about the failures of the UN Security Council and said it was time for the UN General Assembly to step in. ADVERTISEMENT 'If the Security Council doesn't act, the General Assembly can have special measures for peace. It can have a special session and it can over-ride the security council,' he said. 'And in fact contrary to what has been said - that this has only been used in the case of Korea – it has been used 11 times. And now is the time. Today is the day for food and medical aid and water to be made available and I salute all those who are trying to do that.' He also spoke about the controversial US and Israeli-backed aid group, the Gaza Aid Foundation, whose chief Jake Wood resigned this week. 'Its head has resigned because he has said he cannot work with an agency that's not in accordance with international law, that militarises aid and so on,' he said. He also said there was little hope of the Gazans being able to produce their own food in the near future. 'You have to remember the devastation being imposed on the Palestinian people by rendering the land of Gaza unusable. Figures show that nearly 80pc of it cannot produce food again,' he said.
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
President Michael D Higgins says ongoing situation in Gaza ‘breaks my heart'
Speaking at Bord Bia Bloom 2025 in what will be his last time as Ireland's president, he called for immediate action to help the starving people of Gaza. President Higgins, who visited Gaza in 2006, was heavily critical of the inaction of some other nations, given Israel's heavy-handed military tactics on a nation enduring starvation and famine-like conditions. 'There are nine countries still holding back on even a ceasefire. What is happening in Gaza at the moment? Well the nation's 81pc of people have been displaced,' he told the Irish Independent. 'They have been put into temporary accommodation that is being bombed. Their soil is being destroyed, their hospitals have been bombed.' He spoke about the unfairness that if someone spoke out against Israel's stance on Gaza and the Palestinians, they were labelled antisemitic. He and others naturally condemned the October 7 2023 attacks by Hamas but 'if you criticise President Netanyahu's policies, you are then described as being antisemitic'. 'That is a disgrace and a slander. And it has been a slander against Ireland, against individuals, including myself, people who have worked all their lives in relation to human rights activity,' he said. He also alleged that a 'propaganda campaign against Ireland is now active in the United States'. 'So that when we are seeking to have meetings with people interested in investing in Ireland, they are being contacted in advance with suggestions saying, 'You must open by asking (them), 'Why is Ireland so against the United States' position on Israel?'' He referenced his recent speech at the National Famine Commemoration in Limerick's Kilmallock. He spoke at the time about the failures of the UN Security Council and said it was time for the UN General Assembly to step in. ADVERTISEMENT 'If the Security Council doesn't act, the General Assembly can have special measures for peace. It can have a special session and it can over-ride the security council,' he said. 'And in fact contrary to what has been said - that this has only been used in the case of Korea – it has been used 11 times. And now is the time. Today is the day for food and medical aid and water to be made available and I salute all those who are trying to do that.' He also spoke about the controversial US and Israeli-backed aid group, the Gaza Aid Foundation, whose chief Jake Wood resigned this week. 'Its head has resigned because he has said he cannot work with an agency that's not in accordance with international law, that militarises aid and so on,' he said. He also said there was little hope of the Gazans being able to produce their own food in the near future. 'You have to remember the devastation being imposed on the Palestinian people by rendering the land of Gaza unusable. Figures show that nearly 80pc of it cannot produce food again,' he said.
Irish Examiner
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Letters to the Editor: Supporting young people
I was heartened to read the article on the importance of supporting young people and the role of youth services in their lives. It is encouraging to see national attention being given to the environments and relationships that shape young people's development. At the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), we believe youth work is not just a 'nice to have' — it is essential. Youth work offers young people the safe spaces and opportunities to explore who they are, build confidence, and connect meaningfully with their communities. These are not luxuries; they are the foundations of a strong, inclusive society. To ensure youth services are resilient, responsive, and reflective in meeting the needs of young people, we must secure equitable, sustainable, and adequate baseline funding. Not only must we strive to expand access to youth work, but we must also protect and strengthen the services that already exist. These services are lifelines for many young people, and their value must be recognised in policy and practice. Minister Helen McEntee, in her role within the new Department of Education and Youth, has a unique opportunity to forge an exciting path for youth work in Ireland. The upcoming review of the National Development Plan is a perfect moment to prioritise youth places and spaces, and to build communities with young people at their heart. Let's move forward with a shared vision: One where every young person in Ireland has the support, opportunities, and environments they need to thrive. Mary Cunningham National Youth Council of Ireland, Dublin 2 Starvation in Gaza On May 17, President Michael D Higgins spoke at the National Famine Commemoration. He referred to the forced starvation of the Gazan population and the use of starvation as an instrument of war. On the same day in Skibbereen, Co Cork, home of the Great Irish Famine Exhibition, the Gazan writer and film producer Nasser Al-Swirki spoke at the weekly Palestine solidarity March. Nasser described his most recent and harrowing communication with family members surviving in Gaza. They told him they are now eating grass in an attempt to ease the hunger. We cannot say we didn't know. Sharron Toner Bandon, Co Cork Sham democracy There have been a number of commentators telling us the US is barely a democracy anymore or is hopelessly corrupt. Perhaps it is time for a reminder of the type of world we Europeans inhabit before we lecture the US on democracy. It may be true that US congress has corrupt congressmen and women, it may be true that they are lobbied with buckets of money. But the congress members that US citizens vote for have real legislative power. They can propose laws. They can vote on laws. They can repeal laws. What do we have that's so brilliant in the EU by comparison? The MEPs we elect to represent us cannot propose or make laws, they exist mainly to rubberstamp decisions made by the entirely unelected 27-member European Commission. Let that sink in. 27 people, none of whom have ever faced an electorate for their position in the commission, none of whom we voted or chose for ourselves, most of whom the average EU citizen would be unable to even name, decide all new laws that will be made and affect the entire EU block. The EU is a sham democracy ruled by an unelected EU Commission wrapped in a sham of a Parliament and flag with no real power. If we had an actual democracy in the EU we'd be in a better position to lecture the US on theirs. Nick Folley Carrigaline, Co Cork Do-nothing Dáil One can only agree with Fergus Finlay's assessment of the current Dáil as a 'do-nothing' parliament. Indeed, his recent column ought to be laminated, and despatched to every one of our elected representatives. With the emphasis on 'our' elected representatives. Peter Declan O'Halloran Belturbet, Co Cavan What is happening? I applaud Fergus Finlay for his wonderful article on Tuesday's Irish Examiner ('Our leaders are running 'a do-nothing' parliament and it's offensive'). I totally concur with Mr Finlay. Our life expectancy isn't worth much if our Government is unable to deal with our housing and disability crises. We have become immune to the drab, dreary, and sombre weekly agenda that the Government serves the public. So much of it is taken up with statements and debates on Gaza, Ukraine, US tariffs, biodiversity, and world-class education. Mr Finlay is right to ask what the hell is happening in Ireland? Our leaders are going around the place telling the rest of the world how to do their business, and at home they are running a do-nothing parliament. Mr Finlay looks at the programme for government and says that out of more than 150 bills in the programme, they are hoping to 'publish' 21. They have 29 listed for priority drafting and 64 are not drafted, not written and not ready to be enacted at any time this year. It's my contention that the Irish political system of accountability isn't keeping up with the realities of modern government. I believe this leads to repeated failures, which harm the public and undermine trust in our institutions. I believe that the accountable government is the type of government which is responsible and answerable to the public which has elected the government through their representatives. John O'Brien Clonmel, Co Tipperary €2 levy welcome As one who, for many years, has advocated for the proactive concept of taxation at the point of waste creation in contrast to the present reactionary method in this country, where taxation is not contemplated until it is about to be deposed, I welcome the decision of the EU to impose a flat fee of €2 on each of the billions of low-value packages coming into the European bloc. Tadhg O'Donovan Fermoy, Co Cork Elite wrong again How many times can the western "elite and educated" be wrong? Within my lifetime "they" got it wrong on the following. Dying western empires thought they would always be superior; Winston Churchill couldn't understand why the Irish couldn't be more English and Emmanuel Macron complained that African countries, formerly within their empire, didn't say thank you. Racism in the US, apartheid in South Africa, and discrimination in Ireland were all defended by versions of that 'elite'. Now it has taken years of profound suffering, thousands killed, aid blocked until five lorries didn't deliver anything, to prompt the so-called elite to say something about the mind-numbing situation in Gaza (never mind the West Bank). Language and standards have been brutalised until humanitarian values are all but lost. If the dollars are still sent to Tel Aviv, it can only lead to a deepening stain on humanity and yet another western blind spot. Dr Billy Leonard Kilkee, Co Clare Enough is enough Night after night, our TVs bombard us with images that paint a stark and devastating picture of the Gaza Strip. We have witnessed bombardment after bombardment of Israeli missiles launched on civilian targets — hospitals, schools, and residential areas. We have been inundated with images of young children killed or maimed, and parents utterly distraught. It is time to call this what it is: Pure and simple genocide. Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert himself stated that the Israeli Gaza offensive is approaching 'a war crime'. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it appears, is seeking control of the entire Gaza Strip while allowing only minimal aid. The international community is finally beginning to see this for what it is. The Gaza Strip now resembles little more than a concentration camp; the historical parallels are stark, obvious, and heartbreaking. The international community has said 'enough is enough,' and the Israeli people themselves now need to rise up and say very clearly to their government, 'enough is enough, and not in our name'. Let us be very clear: The hostages taken on October 7 must be returned without further delay. The attack on October 7 was an act of debased depravity perpetrated by a terrorist organisation that has no place in a decent world. However, the response has proven disproportionate, with the majority of those killed in the Strip being innocent civilians, women, and children. Enough really is enough! Killian Brennan Malahide Rd, Dublin 17 Read More Letters to the Editor: High time leadership in Jadotville is recognised
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner view: Irish know all too well of Gazan plight
We here in Ireland know a thing or two about famines. It strikes a bitter chord deep within the Irish psyche when we hear of peoples anywhere in our world who are being forcibly cornered into starvation for the political means of others. President Michael D Higgins, as he has done so often during his two terms in office, was unequivocal in his address to the National Famine Commemoration in Kilmallock at the weekend when asserting that the Gazan people were being subjected to 'forced starvation'. His powerful address implicated Israel as using 'starvation as an instrument of war', which will hardly curry any favour for Ireland in Tel Aviv — where our nation's correct views of Israel's murderous campaign in Gaza has led to distinct diplomatic chills. 'As aid dries up, the floodgates of horror have reopened,' the President said. 'Gaza is a killing field — and civilians are in an endless death loop.' The worldwide repulsion at what has gone on throughout the Gaza Strip since Israel retaliated against the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has been widespread and vocal. This has not stopped Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies in the Knesset inflicting death, starvation, and destruction on the populace — as well as journalists recording it and aid workers trying to limit the human toll. The decision yesterday to allow limited aid into Gaza, under pressure from its allies, will mean little unless Hamas frees the remaining Israeli hostages it is holding and stops the carnage. Netanyahu is intent on crushing Hamas, with no regard for the cost in civilian lives. The Great Famine may have shaped the Irish people, but what's happening in Gaza must harden worldwide attitudes towards Israel. Netanyahu must end the wanton killing and should be told to do so, in no uncertain terms, by the leaders of countries who should see this "war" for what it is: Genocide. Tight elections make left sweat It seems these days that whenever an election is called in any European country, there are widespread — and sometimes justified — fears of a right-wing swing. So it was in Romania, Poland, and Portugal the weekend just past, where there were two presidential elections and a snap general election — in each of which there were genuine concerns that the far right could make substantial gains. The debated and legally convoluted presidential contest in Romania was narrowly shaded by the centrist mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, who overcame the challenge of ultra-nationalist George Simion in what was described as a battle between 'a pro-Western and an anti-Western Romania'. Staunchly pro-Western and pro-EU, Dan had lost heavily to Simion in the first round of voting, sparking fears in Brussels and further afield that the Trumpist, anti-EU candidate — who vowed to cease support for Ukraine — would take power. A strong second round for Dan saw him past the post first, sparking relief across the EU. Voting deprived Hungary's Victor Orban and Slovakia's Robert Fico of a new ally in their opposition to supporting Ukraine in its war against Moscow. In Poland, the future of the country is up for grabs after a nail biter of a presidential election between pro-European centrist Rafal Trzaskowski and populist right-winger Karol Nawrocki. The decision will go to a run-off vote on June 1. The closeness of the vote — 31.36% against 29.53% — prompted prime minister Donald Tusk to say the run-off would 'decide the future of Poland' and, indeed, a win for Trzaskowski will end the lengthy stand off between Tusk's government and the incumbent populist-right president, Andrzej Duda — who has used his veto to stymie to repeatedly block the Tusk administration's attempts at reform. The campaign is expected to be polarising — a confrontation between two visions: One pro-EU, liberal, and progressive; the other conservative, nationalistic, and Trumpist. The incumbent centre-right Democratic Alliance in Portugal emerged on top after the weekend's general election. While the underperforming socialists were left vying for second place, the far-right Chega party took a record 22% of the vote. These results in part defied expectations, but once more signalled that Europe's right wing still has a long road to travel for widespread acceptance. Stifled support While last Friday night's all or nothing URC clash against Benetton Treviso demonstrated once again Munster's ability to back themselves out of a tight corner, it also illustrated the hunger among Cork fans for more top-line rugby matches. Unfortunately for most Cork rugby supporters, in recent years they have been offered little other than the occasional crumb of unattractive league fixtures or non-competitive games against touring sides to quell their hunger for high-profile fixtures. The fevered atmosphere in Cork on Friday evening demonstrated once more that the fans, if offered a seriously competitive fixture, will react with positivity and fervour. That only 8,800 were able to attend — because of the venue's capacity — was a travesty in itself. It is notable that in Leinster, when the opportunity to play matches in front of huge crowds is presented, the province moves those fixtures to Croke Park and its 86,000 capacity. The annual fixture against Munster at Christmas there drew a full house and millions of euro in profit. Connacht also recently ventured to Hyde Park in Castlebar for a hugely successful and sold-out game — against Munster — which saw them venture into the province's GAA heartland for the very first time. Cork fans clearly demonstrated their desire to see big-time games on Friday night, but sadly, all too few of them are currently accommodated. Surely, it need not always be that way. Read More Irish Examiner view: Empowering journalism to speak truth to power
