Latest news with #PRO-PALESTINIAN
The Journal
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Gaza marchers aiming to break Israel's blockade retreat to west Libya after being blocked
PRO-PALESTINIAN ACTIVISTS ON a march aiming to break Israel's Gaza blockade have retreated to the Misrata region of western Libya after being blocked by the authorities in the country's east, organisers said Sunday. The 'Soumoud' convoy – meaning steadfastness in Arabic – decided to fall back to near Misrata, about 200 kilometres east of Tripoli, after being stopped by the eastern authorities. Misrata is administered by the UN-recognised Government of National Unity based in Tripoli, while the east is controlled by military commander Khalifa Haftar. The convoy of more than 1,000 people from Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia had been under a 'military blockade' since Friday at the entrance to Sirte, a Haftar-controlled area. Organisers said they were subjected to a 'systematic siege', with no access to food, water or medicine and communications severely disrupted. They also denounced the arrest of several convoy members, including at least three bloggers who had been documenting its journey since its departure from Tunisia on 9 June. Advertisement In a statement cited by Tunisia's La Presse newspaper, the Joint Action Coordination Committee for Palestine – the group behind the convoy – demanded the immediate release of 13 participants still held by eastern Libyan authorities. In an accompanying video, it reaffirmed its intention to continue the mission to Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt, with the aim of 'breaking the blockade and ending the genocide of the Palestinian people resisting in Gaza'. In Egypt, a separate initiative - the Global March to Gaza, intended to bring together participants from 80 countries – was halted on Friday by authorities en route to the city of Ismailia, east of Cairo. Dozens of activists were intercepted, reportedly beaten, had passports confiscated, and were forcibly loaded onto buses by police at multiple checkpoints. Irish TD Paul Murphy was detained by Egyptian authorities and had his passport ad phone confiscated alongside other activists. He was subsequently released and told The Journal yesterday evening that he and the group he is marching with have been discussing their options and intend to proceed with the march to whatever extent is possible. Includes reporting by Emma Hickey
The Journal
03-06-2025
- General
- The Journal
'We did nothing wrong': Irish activist arrested by Israeli police in West Bank to fight deportation
AN IRISH PRO-PALESTINIAN activist is fighting deportation from Israel after she was arrested by police in the occupied West Bank because 'she did nothing wrong'. Máire Ní Mhurchú, a 71-year-old woman originally from Cork who goes by the name D Murphy, was detained by Israeli forces in the village of Khallet al-Dabaa in the Masafer Yatta region of southern West Bank on Saturday. Murphy was arrested alongside Swedish woman Suzanne Björk, who has since been deported from Israel to Athens. The two women were arrested shortly after Israeli forces declared the village a 'closed military zone'. Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Björk said she and Murphy arrived in the village of Khallet al-Dabaa on Friday. 'There was no sign visible that this was a firing zone and there were many other people there,' said Björk. 'We had previously spoken to the police and the Israeli army, and they at no point said that we weren't supposed to be there or asked us to leave.' Both women appeared separately in court for deportation hearings on Sunday and had been held in a detention centre at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. But while Björk decided to leave Israel voluntarily and is now in Athens in Greece, Murphy decided to challenge the court's deportation order. 'I was told that my visa had been cancelled and that I was now in Israel illegally, and I was detained,' said Björk. 'I signed a paper to say I was willing to take the first flight out, and so yesterday morning, I was put on a plane to Athens. 'D, however, decided to fight this deportation because we have done nothing wrong.' Björk said the accusations by Israeli police are 'completely false' and that D has decided to remain in detention to challenge the order. Murphy has since been moved from detained in Ben Gurion Airport to Givon prison in Ramla, according to the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). 'The lawyer is in touch with relevant authorities but we haven't managed to speak to her directly,' said an ISM spokesperson. 'We are awaiting to hear when she will be brought in front of a judge. 'Murphy and Björk were peacefully standing in solidarity with the community there when the arrest happened.' While Björk has been on previous visits to the West Bank, she said she had faced intimidation before but not arrest. Advertisement 'They're just trying to get rid of anyone who tries to document the reality of the occupation and the war crimes taking place,' said Björk. 'Soldiers bashing on the door' Björk said that when she and D arrived in the village of Khallet al-Dabaa, they witnessed 'some settler shepherds harassing the locals'. Björk said she filmed this incident and was then attacked and had her phone stolen. She then called the police and said she was told to make an official statement at the station the next morning. 'The next morning, we were woken up by soldiers bashing on the door, saying that we're in a place we're not supposed to be and we have 10 seconds to get out,' said Björk. She said the soldiers detained the two women and called the police. Björk said she explained to the soldiers that they had been planning on going to the police station to make a statement about the incident on Friday night and that the soldiers released them so that they could make their own way to the station. However, Björk said they were then stopped by a 'settler security guard'. 'He refused to identify himself and we waited for the police,' said Björk. 'The police ended up detaining us and taking us to the police station, where we were then arrested and charged.' Israeli police accused the two women of entering a restricted military area. Both women appeared separately in court for deportation hearings on Sunday. 'There was no sign visible that this was a firing zone and there were many other people there,' said Björk. 'We had previously spoken to the police and the Israeli army, and they at no point said that we weren't supposed to be there or asked us to leave.' Björk said the immigration officer also brought up charges alleging that the two women were 'threatening and humiliating soldiers and police'. 'D is a 71-year-old woman, I am a 48-year-old woman,' said Björk. 'We're not really threatening. We definitely wouldn't be threatening heavily armed men.' Murphy's son, Dale Ryan, yesterday said that his mother's only offence was 'observing crimes against Palestinian people.' -With additional reporting from Andrew Walsh 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
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Irish activist arrested in West Bank faces deportation by Israeli authorities
AN IRISH PRO-PALESTINIAN activist is facing deportation from Israel this week after she was arrested by police in the occupied West Bank on Saturday. D Murphy, a 70-year-old woman originally from Cork, was detained by Israeli forces in the village of Khallet al-Dabaa in the Masafer Yatta region of southern Gaza. A court has since ordered her expulsion from the area. Murphy was arrested shortly after Israeli forces declared the village a 'closed military zone.' According to Palestinian sources, residents and international solidarity activists were forcibly removed from the area. Palestinians were forced to leave their structures by Israeli forces in the village of Khallet al-Dabaa. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a Palestinian-led organisation that supports nonviolent resistance in the West Bank and Gaza, said Murphy had been complying with Israeli orders to leave when she was harassed by Israeli settlers. Israeli police were called to the scene and arrested both Murphy and Swedish activist Susanne Björk, accusing them of entering a restricted military area. Both women appeared separately in court for deportation hearings on Sunday and have remained in custody since. Björk is due to be deported today, while Murphy has said she plans to challenge the court's deportation order later this week. She remains in jail. Speaking in a statement released after her arrest, Murphy said: 'When most governments around the world are ignoring the genocide in Gaza and the ethnic cleansing of the West Bank, ordinary people like me are answering the Palestinians' call to bear witness to these events carried out by the Zionist Israeli entity. It's not about politics – it's about justice and freedom for all people.' Her son, Dale Ryan, said his mother's only offence was 'observing crimes against Palestinian people.' 'D has always had a strong sense of justice, and I know she couldn't sit at home while her friends in Masafer Yatta and across Palestine were suffering,' he said. 'A piece of her heart is in Palestine. She needs to be there, doing what she can.' Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. Advertisement 'It's a disaster' Mariam, a spokesperson for ISM, told The Journal that Israeli authorities appear to be targeting those who stand in solidarity with Palestinian communities. She stated that D Murphy 'was doing nothing' other than showing support and speaking to locals, who she said have been impacted by Israeli forces in recent weeks. 'Those who support Palestinians – like D – are being targeted along with the locals,' she said. 'It's a way to isolate Palestinian communities.' Her comments come just days after the Israeli government approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank – a move widely condemned by both international bodies and Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law, specifically violating Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Mariam said that in May, Israeli forces demolished around 90% of the homes and infrastructure in Khallet al-Dabaa, including water tanks, toilets, animal shelters, solar panels, and power and water supplies. An Israeli excavator demolishes a Palestinian home in Khallet al-Dabaa. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'Three weeks after this devastating erasure, settlers entered the village, forced families out of their caves, brought livestock, and set up an outpost at the edge of the community,' she said. A number of Palestinians live in caves near the region surrounding Khallet al-Dabaa due to the destruction of their homes by the Israeli military, or lack of permits to build. According to ISM, settlers have continued to return daily to harass residents, in what Mariam describes as an effort to forcibly remove those still living on their land. 'It's a disaster,' she said. 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
The Journal
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Pro-Palestinian protestors have demonstrated inside RTE's Dublin offices
LAST UPDATE | 30 mins ago PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTORS have occupied the reception of RTE as part of a series of demonstrations during a day of action. The small group of people, carrying Palestinian protest banners and flags, temporarily set up inside the building in Donnybrook in Dublin 4 this morning. A number of gardaí were visible in live streams from the area and the protestors vacated the Donnybrook campus shortly after 1pm. In one live stream shared by activist Tadgh Hickey, one protester read out a prepared statement saying that the demonstrators were 'the voice of the Palestinian people'. The statement criticised RTE and what they termed as 'mainstream media' for their coverage of the Israeli military operation in Gaza. Advertisement Protestors, numbering about 20, were inside the reception area – one of the banners read 'this is no longer a genocide, it is an extermination'. The group left the RTE campus accompanied by gardaí shortly after 1.30pm. There was a similar protest in Belfast where protestors marched on the BBC offices in the city. When contacted a garda spokesman said there was no record of a protest. It is understood that a number of locations across Dublin will be the focus of the day of action including the Dáil and other State agencies. This is a breaking news story and we will follow up with updates. 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 Hill
28-03-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
NN: Student visa revocations update
--- LIVE INTRO A DOCTORAL STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA ... ONE OF THE PALESTINIAN SUPPORTERS NOW IN FEDERAL CUSTODY.. VO IN CHI BIT: SHAFER PRO PALESTINE CRACKDOWN-VO ALABAMA STUDENT THE UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SAID.. ALIREZA DOROUDI.. FROM IRAN.. IS IN THE U-S ON A STUDENT VISA... STUDYING MECHANICAL ENGINEERING. HE WAS DETAINED THIS WEEK.. THOUGH IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT.. IF ANY CHARGES HE'S FACING. VO IN CHI BIT: SHAFER PRO PALESTINE CRACKDOWN-VO TUFTS DETAINMENT BUT THIS MORNING — THE TRUMP ADMINSTRATION DEFENDING THE DEPORTATIONS AND DETAINMENTS.. LIKE THIS ONE OF A 30-YEAR-OLD FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR AT TUFTS UNIVERSITY. ICE AGENTS IN MASSACHUSSETTS APPROACHED AND ARRESTED HER ON HER WAY TO MEET FRIENDS THIS WEEK. A HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL SAID AN INVESTIGATION FOUND SHE'D ENGAGED IN ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF HAMAS. HER VISA WAS REVOKED. HER FRIENDS DENY SHE'S DONE ANYTHING WRONG. VO IN CHI BIT: SHAFER PRO PALESTINE CRACKDOWN-VO RUBIO SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO.. ON THURSDAY.. DOUBLING DOWN ON THE EFFORTS TO REMOVE STUDENT VISAS. SOT IN CHI BIT: 5A BROOKE CAMPUS CRACKDOWN-SOT RUBIO Marco Rubio/ Secretary of State "I think it's crazy to invite students into your country that are coming onto your campus in destabilizing it. We're just not going to have it. So we'll revoke your visa and once your visa is revoked you're illegally in the country and you have to leave." VO IN CHI BIT: 7A BROOKE CAMPUS CRACKDOWN-VO PROTESTS SECRETARY RUBIO SAID THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS REVOKED THE VISAS OF AT LEAST 300 PEOPLE.. INCLUDING THOSE TWO STUDENTS THIS WEEK. AS THEY ASSERT THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATED IN PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS.. SUPPORTED HAMAS.. A DESIGNATED TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. SECRETARY RUBIO SAYS THEY EXPECT TO REVOKE MORE VISAS. LOOKLIVE TAG AS SOME IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS ARGUE.. THESE DETAINMENTS VIOLATE FREE SPEECH. BROOKE SHAFER NN.
