Since October 2023, Gaza has faced one of the deadliest assaults in modern history. Over 300,000 Palestinians have been killed, the majority of them women and children. Entire communities have been erased, and the genocide continues daily. Coca-Cola is not a neutral brand in this context. The company: Operates in illegal Israeli settlements built on stolen Palestinian land. Has supply chains and business practices that profit from occupation and apartheid. Uses global events and sponsorships to whitewash its image while remaining complicit in human rights abuses. Electric Picnic is more than just a festival it is a cultural institution in Ireland, a space where values of creativity, freedom, and solidarity are celebrated. Allowing Coca-Cola to sponsor the festival undermines these very values and makes Electric Picnic complicit in whitewashing genocide. By dropping Coca-Cola, Electric Picnic can send a powerful message: our culture will not be used to cover up crimes against humanity. This would not only honor the hundreds of thousands of lives lost in Gaza but also set a precedent for ethical sponsorship in the music and arts world. Standing against genocide is not political but is a matter of basic human rights and human dignity.

The siege and genocide must end. The people of Gaza are relying on regular people like us all to keep going - for them. The Global Sumud Flotilla is a coalition of everyday people—organisers, humanitarians, doctors, artists, clergy, lawyers, and seafarers—who believe in human dignity and the power of nonviolent action. 

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We the under signed people support the recent calls made by Irish President Michael D Higgins to the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres to use Chapter VII powers to establish an international aid corridor to bring much needed aid to the people of Gaza.  No matter who we are or where we are from we all deserve access to basic needs, including food, water and medical supplies. Israel have been blocking this basic aid from entering Gaza for months now resulting in a serious lack of medical supplies, food and clean drinking water.  The United Nations has the power to over ride the VETO powers of the US in the Security council by using chapter 7 powers within the General Assembly. The time to use those powers is well upon us. 

Across Ireland, people have struggled with horror and outrage, as measures to halt the genocide in Gaza have been repeatedly blocked at the UN.    Led by South Africa and Colombia, the Hague Group of countries have come together to demand an end to this criminal cruelty. Ireland attended the Hague group's emergency conference held recently in Bogota. They joined the thirty states who unanimously called for an immediate ceasefire. Twelve states have also committed to six pledges, designed to end international complicity in the genocide, to uphold international law, and to hold perpetrators of war crimes responsible for their actions. Ireland and other states are asked to join them in committing to these pledges by September 20th.   Like South Africa and Colombia, we in Ireland understand the key role of international solidarity. We understand deeply the importance of a just peace.    The six pledges are :  1.Prevent the provision or transfer of arms, munitions, military fuel, related military equipment and dual-use items to Israel.  2.Prevent the transit, docking and servicing of vessels where there is a clear risk that they are carrying military goods to Israel.  3.Deny carriage of such items by ships under national flags, and impose penalties, including de-flagging, for non-compliance.  4.Review all public contracts to ensure that state funds and institutions are not supporting Israel's illegal occupation.  5.Pursue national or international investigations and prosecutions for serious international crimes.  6.Support the use of international jurisdiction in domestic legal systems to enable prosecutions for crimes committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.    We urge all political representatives to ensure that Ireland join the Hague Group in committing to these six pledges before September 20th, in removing Ireland from complicity in genocide and in upholding international law.     

20+ Irish university students in Gaza have been excluded from a recent evacuation of Irish students out of Gaza. We demand that the Irish government immediately facilitate another evacuation for these students. All of them have worked incredibly hard during the ongoing genocide to earn places at these universities; despite being under constant bombardment they have walked long distances to connect to the internet, they have written personal statements while starving, and they have filled out government forms while mourning the violent deaths of family members.  Their tenacity in the face of indescribable devastation is a testament to their steadfastness and work ethic, qualities that have been noted and honoured by the corresponding universities and communities. We are anxiously waiting to welcome them to Ireland and have organized internationally to provide funding and accommodation in order to facilitate their arrival as soon as possible. The students have met every single requirement for their student visas. In April, at least one student was told by the Irish embassy in Tel Aviv that their student visa had been processed and would be approved as it met every requirement, but that it would not be issued until an evacuation had been planned. The Irish embassy has the names and applications of every single Irish university student in Gaza who has applied for a student visa and yet the vast majority of them were seemingly intentionally left behind in this evacuation.  It is within the authority and capacity of the Irish Government to facilitate the immediate evacuation of these students and/or coordinate with other European countries that have repeatedly done so for their students, such as France.  The failure to do so fits into a concerning pattern of the Irish government delaying and/or denying visas and evacuations for Palestinians who have gone through the appropriate channels. Each day that passes brings with it unimaginable loss for these students, the people that love them, and the communities that would benefit from their hard work and talents.  Learn more at: bit.ly/pal2eire

Ireland’s nomination of Francesca Albanese for the Nobel Peace Prize matters for several significant reasons: 🕊️ 1. A Voice Calling Out Genocide As the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since May 2022, Albanese has produced groundbreaking reports—such as Anatomy of a Genocide—presented to the UN Human Rights Council. In them, she lays out compelling legal evidence suggesting Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, earning recognition as “the foremost voice exposing the horrors inflicted upon the Palestinian people”  ⚖️ 2. Championing International Law and Accountability Her work is rooted firmly in international law. She’s called for member states to develop credible plans to end occupation and apartheid, insisted on an immediate ceasefire, and escalated matters to bodies like the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC). When many officials remained silent, Albanese stood her ground in defense of human rights and legal standards . 💪 3. Moral Leadership in the Face of Pressure Despite significant pushback—including public accusations of bias, U.S. sanctions labeling her a “specially designated national,” and threats from political actors—Albanese maintained her dedication to truth and accountability . Ireland’s endorsement highlights the need to support those who defend human rights even under immense pressure. 🌍 4. Symbolic Support from Western Democracies When many Western political leaders have been criticized for “wilful ignorance” or avoiding hard questions, Ireland’s nomination sends a clear message: upholding human rights—even when it means confronting allies—is essential for lasting peace . ✊ 5. Amplifying Vulnerable Voices Albanese doesn’t just issue reports—she amplifies the stories of Palestinian children and families stripped of their childhoods and rights. She emphasizes the lived reality of those suffering and the danger of “living silence” in the international community. In Summary Ireland’s nomination of Francesca Albanese is not just about recognizing one person—it’s about recognising a steadfast commitment to: • Exposing and documenting alleged genocide by using legal and factual rigor. • Upholding international law precisely when it's most contested. • Withstanding political pressure as a beacon of moral clarity. • Amplifying marginalized voices under threat. • Reinforcing that peace requires accountability, not indifference. By championing her, Ireland signals that defending human rights—even against powerful nations—must be a cornerstone of peacebuilding.

This is an appeal on behalf of our friends, the The Billa family—Fitnete, Arber and their two children, Luna and Arios—who have been notified that they will be pulled out of the lives they have built in Ireland and sent back to Albania without any consideration for their personal rights or complex needs.  We understand that Albania has been classified as a "safe" country and that much of the decision has been based on this blanket classification, but I would like to remind all stakeholders that rulings are made on a case-by-case basis and that this family has complex needs that will not be addressed in Albania.  Arios, the youngest child, has required multiple surgeries in his short life, and requires complex care that will simply not be available to him should this family be deported. Without access to medical services, Arios' state will decline rapidly. No authority should make decisions that knowingly put a child's life at risk.  In addition to Arios' health concerns, we are deeply distressed about the risks that Luna will face as a young girl in Albania. The United States TIP report for Albania 2024 states clearly that the county is still experiencing high rates of child trafficking. Children are disappearing every day and the government is unable to keep up with investigations or with implementing solid child protection mechanisms. It is simply not acceptable to put Luna in this kind of danger.  Fitnete and Arber are active members in the Tramore community. They have lived in Ireland for almost three years and have built a life here. Both are employed and involved with local charities and initiatives. Luna is an important member of our Junior Infants class and her friends would be devastated to lose her. They'd be too young to understand why she'd disappeared, but the loss would be felt very deeply. This family has put down roots. They have contributed towards our school culture and they have made our lives richer with their presence.  Factually, deportation to Albania will endanger the lives of the Billa family. This cannot be understated or glossed over. A decision to deport them is a decision to inflict irreparable trauma on each of them. We demand that you reconsider this deportation directive and treat it with the nuanced, discerning approach that is required when human lives are at stake. 

33 children are ready to take part in the trip of a lifetime. Clubs and families across the island are ready to welcome them.  GAA Palestine have been organising this trip for months. The only thing standing in their way is the Irish government who have refused their visas at the last minute.   GAA Palestine demands immediate action from the Department of Justice to allow these children to come and visit Ireland. Plans were in place with over 150 Irish families who would host the children, bring them to matches and show them the beach for the first time in their lives. GAA Palestine is a symbol of hope for children who've been denied a proper childhood. LET THEM PLAY!

To foster a feeling of security among asylum seekers and put them in the workforce to generate revenue for the government through taxes.

We, the constituents of Dublin Bay North, call on our elected TDs to uphold the strongly-held views of the community. We wholeheartedly stand in solidarity with the innocent starved civilians in Gaza. We demand immediate action, not words, and that you enact the Occupied Territories Bill in full, including services,  before the Summer recess.  Ireland ranks as Israel's 2nd  highest trade partner in the world - to the value of a staggering €2.8billion in 2024. This cannot continue given Israel's despicable onslaught on the Palestinians. You are our voices in the Dáil and on the World stage. Please act accordingly.

It is vitally important that Ireland's Central Bank stop facilitating the sale of Israeli debt instruments within the EU. Ireland's government leaders and society have openly called Israel's actions in Gaza genocide. Ireland cannot say one thing and do another. Ireland and its institutions must be consistent and halt the facilitation for the sale of Israeli bonds by our Central Bank. The Irish directors of The Central Bank must resign on principle in support of Ireland's position and the management of The Central Bank must ensure the bonds are no longer available through its offices regardless of EU rules where ethical or humanitarian issues are not addressed.