Latest news with #TÁNAISTESIMONHARRIS
The Journal
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Tánaiste Simon Harris to meet with representatives of the Indian community amid rise in attacks
TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS is set to meet with representatives of the Indian community in Ireland next week after a rise in attacks. In a statement today, the Embassy of Ireland in India said the meeting is due to take place this coming Monday. The Ireland India Council, which aims to foster connections between the two countries, welcomed the 'strong' statement from the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi condemning the recent attacks. The Council said that racism and xenophobia have no place in our society and that the 'Indian community's contributions continue to enrich Ireland, and our shared bonds remain strong'. In the latest attack, an Indian man who has been living in Ireland for over 20 years was attacked and robbed while cycling to work near Dublin's Grand Canal on Wednesday. Advertisement Other incidents have included a man being attacked by a gang of teenagers while walking to his apartment , a six-year-old girl being attacked and verbally abused in Co Waterford , and a man being stripped and attacked in Tallaght after being falsely accused of inappropriate behaviour. Last week, the Indian Embassy in Ireland warned citizens to 'avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours' due to the recent increase in physical attacks. In a statement today, the Irish Embassy in India said it is 'deeply shocked and saddened by the recent violent attacks against Indian citizens'. The Embassy said the attacks are an 'assault on the values of equality and human dignity that Ireland holds dear'. Statement from Embassy New Delhi 📄 🇮🇪🇮🇳 — Irish Embassy India (@IrlEmbIndia) August 8, 2025 The Embassy added that the 'actions of the few do not reflect the spirit of the Irish people' and that such racism and xenophobia 'will not be tolerated'. It also noted that Ireland has a 'long and proud history of migration' and is now a 'welcoming home for those who seek opportunity, safety and belonging'. Related Reads Indian man suffers head injuries after being viciously beaten by gang in early morning attack Ambassador to India says attacks on migrants are 'deeply at odds' with Irish values Indian Embassy in Ireland warns citizens to 'avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours' The Embassy added that 'society is enriched by the diversity of people who live in Ireland, particularly our Indian community'. The statement said that the Embassy is in regular contact with the Indian Embassy in Dublin, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and the gardaí regarding recent investigations. Need more clarity and context on how migration is being discussed in Ireland? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online. Visit Knowledge Bank Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Gaza: Ireland joins Spain and four other nations to warn of 'dangerous new escalation' by Israel
TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS has joined other foreign affairs ministers from several European countries to demand that Israel immediately lifts its blockade on Gaza and draw back from plans to intensify its offensive even further. The joint statement from Harris and ministers from Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain condemns Israel's plans for a prolonged occupation of Gaza and rejects the prospect of any measure that would forcibly displace Gaza's population. International pressure on Israel is mounting as it continues to impose a total blockade on Gaza , preventing any supplies like food or medicine from entering the Palestinian region. Community kitchens and bakeries in Gaza have been forced to close because of the blockade and what little medical care is still available has been put under even further strain. At the same time, Israel is preparing to deepen its attacks on Gaza even further and implement plans to hold onto control of Gaza for an indefinite amount of time and force its residents into specific parts of the region. The group of European ministers said that Israel's plan 'would mean crossing yet another line, marking a dangerous new escalation and jeopardizing any prospects of a viable two-state solution'. They said that further military escalation in Gaza 'will only exacerbate an already catastrophic situation for the civilian Palestinian population and threaten the lives of the hostages that remain in captivity'. We firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza, including any scheme that would force or facilitate the permanent displacement of its population, which would be in violation of international law. 'We also strongly oppose a system that does not ensure that the entire population gets access to humanitarian aid. Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine, which belongs to the Palestinian people.' The ministers noted that Israeli authorities have blocked all humanitarian aid and commercial supplies from reaching the civilian Palestinian population in Gaza for more than two months. Advertisement 'Despite repeated calls on Israel to lift these measures and to facilitate relief, Israel has instead further tightened, rather than eased, the measures,' they said, adding: 'We call on Israel to immediately lift the blockade. It is essential to facilitate relief for all civilians in need, without discrimination, and to follow the other humanitarian principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality.' They called on Israel to 'show restraint' and to 'take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations and humanitarian organisations, the unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance'. What is needed more urgently than ever is a resumption of a ceasefire, and the unconditional release of all hostages. 'We reaffirm our unwavering support for the two-state solution — Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security,' the ministers concluded. Alongside Simon Harris, the signatories of the statement are Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland; Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Luxembourg; Espen Barth Eide, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway; Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia; and José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister for Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation of Spain. The most recent Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 59 people, according to hospital officials. Overnight, Israel attacked a school building that was sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians, killing 27 people, including nine women and three children. It was the fifth time this particular school building has been struck since October 2023. Additionally, a strike early this morning on another school building being used as a shelter killed 16 people. Strikes in other areas killed at least 16 more people. 'Annihilation' This afternoon, a group of more than 20 UN experts said countries were at a moral crossroads over their response to Israel's escalation of hostilities and ongoing siege of Gaza. States face a choice between acting to halt the violence and looking on at 'the annihilation of the Palestinian population' in the territory, the experts said. Related Reads Israel's nine-week blockade on Gaza is 'clearly' a war crime, says Taoiseach 'My baby died of malnutrition': The suffering and starvation in Gaza as Israel blocks all supplies 'The decision is stark: remain passive and witness the slaughter of innocents or take part in crafting a just resolution,' they said in a statement, urging the world to avert the 'moral abyss we are descending into'. Also today, UN aid officials condemned Israel's proposed plan for its military to take over the distribution of aid in Gaza. 'It appears to be a deliberate attempt to weaponise the aid and we have warned against that for a very long time. Aid should be provided based on humanitarian need to whomever needs it,' said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for UN aid coordination office, OCHA. 'Israeli officials have sought to shut down the existing aid system run by 15 UN agencies and 200 NGOs and partners,' Laerke said. With reporting from David Mac Redmond and AFP 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 Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
