Event involving Israeli Ambassador to Ireland cancelled following BDS protests
An event supposed to take place at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland involving Israeli Ambassador Ze’ev Boker was cancelled following pro-Palestinian protests and demonstrations; the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs is 'shocked and saddened.'
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its shock over the actions of a group of protesters, whose demonstrations led to the cancellation of an event involving the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, Ze'ev Boker, at Trinity College in Dublin, on Monday night.
"These protestors chanted genocidal refrains, which call for Israel's destruction, while barring access to the lecture theatre," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Emmanuel Nahshon.
"They obviously have no interest in helping efforts to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but rather wish to ignite and enflame the situation. It is a pity to see such a small and extreme group denying academic thought, exploration and discussion from an Irish audience, but unfortunately, these are the bullying, intimidating tactics of the BDS movement," continued Nahshon.
"We are sure that an esteemed university such as Trinity will take the appropriate measures to deal with the instigators of last night's protest. We expect the Irish authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure the freedom of speech of Israel's ambassador."
In an interview to the Irish Times, Irish4Israel chairman Barry Williams described the protest as “hysterical behavior from certain segments of students."
“Every time this happens we end up getting more supporters for Israel,” he continued. “People end up getting so frustrated, they actually start to investigate more. Had they let him speak, they could have asked him difficult questions.”
