If these children are not allowed to come to Ireland it will be a stain on this government that will never be erased
The government should be moving heaven and earth to ensure 33 children from the West Bank can travel to Ireland with GAA Palestine next week, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney.
“These children are living in an apartheid state, enduring daily human rights abuses. Most of them have never seen the sea, some have parents who have been interned for years in Israel and many will have family members who have been killed or injured by the Israeli army or settlers.
“This trip to Ireland, with GAA Palestine, is the one thing that has given these 33 children hope. It has given them something to look forward to while they endure daily horrors in the West Bank.
“For the department to raise issues with their paperwork now, days before they are due to fly to Ireland, is both heartless and cruel. If there were any issues, they should have been raised long ago.
“This is not just an issue impacting these children. Hundreds of volunteers, all across Ireland, have worked tirelessly for months to make this trip a success. These volunteers are appalled at the bureaucratic attitude adopted by the Irish state.
“The Irish government regularly uses strong language when it talks about Gaza and Palestine. However, that language is never followed up by action. This is a perfect example of the hollowness of the words of the government. They should be moving heaven and earth to help GAA Palestine get these 33 children to Ireland.
“Instead they are putting up bureaucratic roadblocks and treating the chaperones who will be accompanying them with utter suspicion and disdain. If these children are not allowed to come to Ireland it will be a stain on this government that will never be erased.”