Cork students give Palestinian ambassdor a warm Arabic greeting

Cork Educate Together secondary school welcomed Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, to their school last week.

The invitation was extended from principal Colm O’Connor on behalf of senior cycle politics and society students who have been studying the conflict through a human rights lens as part of their Leaving Cert course.

It follows various visits by the ambassador in the Cork region, including a visit to the City Hall and to Kinsale Community School.

Human rights

Teacher of politics and society, Edwin Magnier, explained that students have been focusing on the human rights violations of the people of Palestine, as well as the violations committed on October 7 by Hamas.

“We only hear from and about Hamas and the Israeli government. It is important to hear the perspective of Palestinian representatives as they are the official representatives of the Palestinian people on the West Bank since the Oslo accords.”

Mr Magnier is conscious of the need for students to broaden their understanding.

“We often hear about people who are suffering but it is important to hear from these people themselves. We are looking forward to a visit from academic and author David Lundy in a few weeks also. He is visiting our students from Trinity College, Dublin, and is lined up to speak about ways in which the Jewish diaspora can support Palestinians.”

Warm greeting

The Ambassador arrived to a warm Arabic greeting from the students of Cork Educate Together Secondary school and following a talk on the history of the region, spent considerable time responding to their well-informed questions.

“I will not say too much” she said warmly to the gathered students, “I prefer to answer your questions. I am very happy to see a young generation inspired to learn more about the world and the Palestinian people. I am grateful not only to this school, but to the whole city, and to the Irish government.”

Throughout her engagement with the young students, she emphasised how Ireland is one of the few countries showing such sustained support.

“I will speak to you from the heart,” she said, as she described how Israel is making Gaza “a place not for living”.

Sixth-year Barra Gleeson began the round of questioning by asking whether the attack on Palestinian civilians awaiting aid along the coastal road on the south-west edge of Gaza city on Thursday will impact the call for a ceasefire.

“We will always have hope,” the ambassador replied. “But we cannot do it alone. We must continue to put pressure on Israel.”