Latest news with #ZoeLawlor
Irish Post
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Post
Trinity College Dublin formally cuts all ties with Israel
TRINITY College Dublin has announced it will cut ties with all Israeli universities and companies. The decision, made by the university's board this week, follows growing public outrage in Ireland over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A taskforce, formed last year, recommended full divestment from Israel. 'This taskforce was created following the board-approved resolution statement after the encampment on campus last year,' Trinity said in a public statement. Chaired by former High Court President Mary Irvine, the taskforce met over a dozen times, reviewed a variety of evidence and received nearly a hundred written submissions from students and staff. 'I want to thank Mary Irvine and the other members of the taskforce who contributed significant time and expertise over the past year to consider these important issues so thoroughly,' the college said. This total divestment will see Trinity end its remaining academic exchange agreements with Israeli universities and stop it from starting any new partnerships with Israeli institutions or businesses. Current Erasmus exchange deals with Bar Ilan University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem will remain in place until they're due to end in 2026. In its collaborative research, the report noted the 'college is engaged in a number of EU-funded research consortia which include Israeli partners. There is no evidence to associate any of these with breaches of international humanitarian law or human rights violations. The taskforce accepts that College cannot readily extract itself from these agreements.' In regard to the length of the divestment, 'these will be enacted for the duration of the ongoing violations of international and humanitarian law,' the statement said, noting that the decision will remain under review. The Board is expected to revisit the report later this year. Zoe Lawlor of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign hailed Trinity's decision in a statement, calling it a 'landmark step in academic rejection of apartheid Israel's regime'. Dublin's recent formal recognition of Palestine, alongside Spain and Norway, cemented Ireland's position as one of Europe's most vocal critics of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Ireland's support for South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice has drawn sharp backlash from Israeli officials. Late last year, Israel closed its embassy in Dublin, accusing the Irish government of stoking antisemitism, claims firmly rejected by both the Taoiseach and President. As one of Ireland's most prominent academic institutions, Trinity's actions could set a precedent for other universities at home and abroad. With solidarity movements and divestment campaigns happening across Britain and Europe, this could influence others who are pressing similar demands on their universities. Trinity's taskforce will present a final report later this year. Campus protest on college green (Image: @TrinityBDS @tcdsu via See More: Gaza, Israel, Mary Irvine, Trinity College Dublin
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Trinity College Dublin to divest from links with Israeli universities and firms
Pro-Palestinian activists have called on other Irish universities to follow suit. 🇵🇸TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN JUST AGREED TO FULL DIVESTMENT FROM ISRAEL AND THE CUTTING OF ALL ACADEMIC TIES🇵🇸 — Jenny 🇵🇸 (@jennymaguir) June 4, 2025 Last May, students formed an encampment at Trinity in protest against a 214,285 euro fine imposed on the students' union after a series of demonstrations about fees and rent, and the university's ties to Israel. Following engagement with the protesters, the college dropped the fine and said it would complete a divestment from Israeli companies that have activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and appear on the UN blacklist. The students dismantled the camp after Trinity said it would 'endeavour' to divest in other Israeli companies, noting that its supplier list contains just one Israeli company which remained in place until March this year for contractual reasons. On Wednesday, Trinity's board received a report from a taskforce set up last October to examine academic and institutional links, including with Israel. Although the report is to return to the board later this year for its final consideration, based on 'the strength of the evidence shared', the board accepted the report's recommendations in relation to links with Israel. This included recommendations that the college enter into no Erasmus, collaborative research or supply agreements with Israeli universities, institutions or firms. The college has two current Erasmus+ exchange agreements, on an inbound basis only since September 2023, with Israeli universities: the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which ends in July 2025, and Bar Ilan University, which ends in July 2026. The taskforce also found that the college is engaged in a number of EU-funded research consortia which include Israeli partners, and – although none of these were found to be breaching international humanitarian law or human rights – the taskforce said Trinity should not seek to participate in any new institutional research agreements involving Israeli participation. It also said that Trinity should look to 'align itself' with like-minded universities and bodies in an effort to influence EU policy concerning Israel's participation in such collaborations. The taskforce noted that Trinity had divested from Israeli companies on the UN blacklist and has no current supply contracts with Israeli companies. But it recommended that the college should fully divest from all companies headquartered in Israel and that it should not enter into any future supply contracts with Israeli firms. The taskforce accepted that the college's existing intellectual property-related contracts are acceptable as they are not collaborative, but said no new commercial relationships with Israeli entities should be set up. Chairwoman of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) Zoe Lawlor said the decision by Trinity was a 'landmark step in academic rejection of apartheid Israel's regime'. She called on more Irish universities to do the same and paid tribute to students, academics and staff who campaigned for this outcome. 'Trinity will now stand on the right side of history, as it did with South African apartheid in the past, but it is nevertheless disappointing that it took so long to get to this position,' she said. 'We echo the view of TCD Students' Union that it remains disappointing that Trinity has not withdrawn from ongoing projects involving Israeli partners who provide military technology and training that will run until 2029. 'Nonetheless, we celebrate each and every step towards de-normalising relations with the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel. We call on the Irish Government and the EU to pay heed to the changing climate, and to act to bring an end to all Irish state complicity with the apartheid regime.' The taskforce, chaired by former president of the High Court Mary Irvine, met on 14 occasions and received 77 submissions in total.
The Journal
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Israel involvement: Ireland's Eurovision entry Emmy hopes contest can be 'escape from reality'
IRELAND'S EUROVISION ENTRY Emmy has said that she hopes Eurovision can be 'a place where everyone can feel safe and happy' amid mounting calls for Israel to be expelled from the competition amid its prolonged blockade in Gaza. The 24-year-old Norwegian singer is preparing to take part in the contest this week as Ireland's Eurovision entry with her song Laika Party, which is about a dog that was sent into space by the Russians with no hope of return. In an interview with the PA News Agency, Emmy was asked about the controversies at Eurovision last year and last year's entry Bambie Thug accusing organisers of not supporting them amid frustration among some performers over Israel's involvement in the competition. Emmy said: 'I hope that Eurovision can be a place where everyone can feel safe and happy and maybe like an escape from reality, celebrating music, because I used to say that my biggest job as an artist is to bring comfort and happiness to everyone that I can – especially in hard times.' It echoes what the singer told The Journal in February ahead of performing on the Late Late's Eurosong contest when asked whether last year's events played on her mind while deciding whether to enter this year. 'I think music is important. I think music unites people and is important. So it didn't really affect my decision, because I really think that music can help people and that it's important anyway, no matter,' she said in February. The Eurovision Song Contest, run by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has for many years faced calls to remove Israel from the competition due to its violence against Palestine – and this year the pressure on organisers has mounted amid a total, prolonged blockade by Israel stopping any supplies from entering Gaza. For over two months, Israel has been blocking any supplies like food, medicine or other aid from entering Gaza whilst continuing to land strikes that have killed civilians. Israel has now said it wants to maintain a prolonged occupation in Gaza and forcibly move the Palestinian population into a small area of the region. It also wants to take over control of aid that goes into Gaza instead of allowing humanitarian organisations to operate. The Irish-Palestine Solidarity Campaign staged a demonstration outside RTÉ's studios in Stillorgan yesterday, with IPSC Chairperson Zoe Lawlor describing Israel's participation in the contest as culture-washing. 'It's vital to exclude the genocidal apartheid state of Israel from this global cultural platform, now,' Lawlor said in a statement. Yesterday afternoon, RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst confirmed that he held a meeting with the EBU and 'raised RTÉ's concerns' about Israel's participation in the Eurovision. Bakhurst said that there 'is a commitment from the EBU to have a wider discussion amongst members in due course'. 'I want to make Ireland proud' Emmy performed her song Laika Party on the Late Late Show last night. Advertisement The Late Late Show / YouTube In her interview with PA, Emmy said she was 'scared' of the judges at the Eurosong contest in February. Actress and singer Samantha Mumba was critical of the judges in February, saying they 'were unnecessarily rude' to the finalists after she entered with My Way for Basel 2025. Emmy told the PA news agency: 'I love Samantha, we are good friends, and I feel like … I was also scared of the panel. 'And because we are humans with feelings … we have feelings, even though we put ourselves out there so (if) panels – when music is what we do – make comments, it can be really scary, yeah, because we have feelings.' The Irish panel, made of Donal Skehan, a TV chef, Dancing With The Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian, radio presenter Laura Fox and last year's Irish Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug, who came sixth in Malmo, all suggested that Mumba's work could be elevated. Mumba posted saying they did not have the 'credentials' to judge, and she stood by her 'art', with Skehan responding saying that her post was 'entirely understandable in such a high-stakes competition', but defending his background – which included entering the Irish competition and being behind hit singles. RTE said that the panel's feedback was done in an 'thoughtful and considered way'. Emmy also said it was 'so crazy hard to believe' that she has gone from being a TikTok star to performing in front of audiences, alongside her brother Erlend Guttulsrud Kristiansen aiding her performance. 'It's a huge honour, and we're just so grateful,' she said. 'I feel like it's almost an even bigger honour to represent another country. I'm so, so, so grateful and happy for the support of the Irish people. That really means a lot.' She also called the experience a 'childhood dream', shared by her brother, and said she hopes that the song helps move away from the 'really traumatising' true story of Laika. Emmy said: 'I'm such a big animal lover, if I see a fly drown, I try to save it. So to hear about a dog that was sent out in space all alone, to die, it just broke my heart and I wanted to create a scenario where she gets to be happy and alive instead.' Emmy, who took part in the St Patrick's Day parade in Dublin in March, said she has 'two goals for Eurovision, and that is to try to do my best and to make Ireland proud'. Contains additional reporting by Press Association 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
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Actor Stephen Rea joins pro-Palestine demonstration calling for Irish boycott of Eurovision
ACTOR STEPHEN REA has addressed pro-Palestine protesters outside RTÉ this evening where a demonstration was being held to call on the broadcaster to boycott the Eurovision song contest. Members of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) held a mini-concert and made speeches calling for Ireland to boycott this year's music competition over the organiser EBU's decision not to remove Israel from the contest this year. The IPSC today said that Israel is 'determined to artwash its genocide in Gaza and West Bank war crimes' through the Eurovision Song Contest and has called on RTÉ to boycott the event. Advertisement The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign held a demonstration outside RTÉ studios this evneing. © © IPSC Chairperson Zoe Lawlor described Israel's participation in the contest as culture-washing: 'It's vital to exclude the genocidal apartheid state of Israel from this global cultural platform, now.' Actor Rea joined Palestinian photojournalist Eman Mohammed, RTÉ presenter and chair of the NUJ's broadcasting division Trevor Keegan and Irish and Palestinian musicians at the event outside RTÉ studios in Dublin this evening. Director General of the broadcaster Kevin Bakhurst and Director of Video Steve Carson met with the EBU today to outline their concerns over Israel's participation in the annual music competition . It comes after members of the National Union Of Journalists at RTÉ said the station should join other public service broadcasters in calling for Israel's removal from the contest for its government's ongoing retaliatory offensive in Gaza. Though Bakhurst agreed to discuss the issue with the EBU, the station's boss said Ireland would continue to compete in this year's contest. The organisers today committed to hold a 'wider discussion' on the issue before the event next week, RTÉ said. 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
