Foreign Affairs Committee calls on Israel to allow Palestinian human rights defender travel to Dublin

Ellen O'Donoghue

The Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee has called on the Israeli government to allow a Palestinian human rights defender to travel to Dublin.

The Committee has written to the Israeli government asking it to lift a de facto travel ban on Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, so he can address the Robert Tressell Festival in Dublin on Saturday, May 24th.

The festival, named after the Irish author of The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists, is also due to hear from US senator Bernie Sanders, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald, and British trade unionist Mick Lynch.

Labour foreign affairs spokesperson, Duncan Smith TD, said that the letter has cross party support and was delivered to the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority.

"The plight of Omar Barghouti, who, although a permanent legal resident of Israel, accused of no crime, is being prevented from leaving that country raises very serious concerns," Mr Smith said.

“Mr Barghouti is renowned internationally as a leading human rights defender in Palestinian civil society. His treatment is an indication of the apartheid system Israel operates, which entraps and denies rights to Palestinians as it commits a genocide in Gaza and kills thousands in the West Bank.

“Such a systemic denial of rights also raises serious concerns for the future safety of Palestinians within Israel," he added.

Robert Tressell organising committee chairman, Seamus McDonagh, said that Barghouti has been invited to participate in the festival as a representative of the Palestinian people.

"That Israel refuses to adhere to international law, even to its own law, and allow Omar to travel is of no surprise, but is yet another example of its actions as a rogue state," he said.

Those taking part in the day of debates and discussions In Liberty Hall also include ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy, journalist Patrick Cockburn, INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy, TDs Marie Sherlock, Sinead Gibney and Ruth Coppinger, historians Brian Hanley and Liz Gillis and housing activists Aisling Hedderman and Lucky Khambule.

Musical acts include Faró, Leen and Niamh Parsons.

The theme of this year’s event is Facing Down the Carnival of Reaction.

The Art of Solidarity, an exhibition of historic trade union banners and other cultural items, will be on display for the duration of the festival.