PETITION TO THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE Supporting Family Reunification for Dalya Alnajjar

Dalya Alnajjar has recently been granted refugee status in Ireland after seeking asylum in Ireland over a year ago. Since she arrived she has become a valued, integral and much-loved member of the community in Cahersiveen. Her family who are still in Gaza are homeless and suffering desperately as a result of Israel’s continuing human rights violations. She has already submitted an application for family reunification, and she has supplied your office with details about her family – including copies of their UNWRA registration cards.

Since October 2023, Dalya has begun each day by checking casualty lists, fearing for her family's lives. She and her family have already incurred tremendous losses. Her home has been deliberately bombed and completely razed. Thirteen of her cousins were killed in a massacre in her neighbourhood. Her cousin Razan—a pioneering paramedic—was killed for her humanitarian work. This is not abstract policy; this is life and death, unfolding now.

Under EU Case C-563/22, Dalya's family are entitled to refugee recognition. UNRWA has ceased operations in Gaza, leaving them without protection. 

Other EU states have taken action on humanitarian grounds. Ireland can do so as well.

We call on you as the Minister for Justice to:

1. Accept UNRWA registration as sufficient proof of refugee status for family reunification purposes

2. Exercise discretionary provisions under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015

3. Consider a special humanitarian admission programme for Dalya's family, as precedent allows

We sign because Dalya’s family's lives depend on our willingness to act with courage and compassion. We sign because this is what humanity requires.
We sign because we are committed to supporting Dalya and her family in being reunited here in Ireland.