In a joint statement to Trinity News the Seanad Civil Engagement Group, made up of Trinity Senator Lynn Ruane and Senators Alice-Mary Higgins, Frances Black and Eileen Flynn, congratulated “the courageous Trinity College students on their successful efforts to push the College towards total divestment from Israel”.
“The result shows that there is incredible power in direct action and in grassroots collective movements working together in a peaceful and determined way”, said the group.
“The Group hopes the students’ commitment and leadership in challenging an institution in their stance in relation to the ongoing genocide in Gaza will inspire others to take similar actions”.
In her individual statement Senator Lynn Ruane said how “It has been incredibly inspiring to observe effective student activism in Trinity in recent weeks”.
“It has provided an important reminder to us all about the power we have to affect the change we want to see in the world”.
She concluded by saying: “To see young people in Ireland build on the efforts of activists and organisers over many decades to advance the Palestinian cause makes me incredibly proud, both as an Irish woman and a Trinity alumna.”
Senator Frances Black compared the encampment to previous student protests: “Students played a leading role in the struggle to boycott and to divest from Apartheid South Africa”.
“Now, they’re demonstrating that leadership and moral clarity again”, she continued.
“The Trinity College student activists faced down fines and threats to stand up for the human rights of Palestinians”.
She went on to say how students too “took tangible action to disrupt an unjust status quo” and concluded by declaring “It’s time for the Irish government to follow suit”.
Senator Alice-Mary Higgins said: “The decision by Trinity to divest is a welcome first step and the students are to be commended for securing this victory for human rights and international law”.
“Universities across Ireland should now follow suit as silence or inaction is not acceptable when every university in Gaza has been demolished and Israel is destroying the lives and education of an entire generation of children.” She continued.
Their joint statement also discussed details pertaining to the group’s upcoming Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill.
“The Bill would restrict the transit of weapons through Ireland to Israel and to countries that export weapons to Israel”.
The statement reveals how “In 2023, over 1000 flights were granted exemptions to transport munitions of war, weapons and dangerous goods through the state”.
“Despite the Minister of Transport having the option to do so, none of these flights were subject to an inspection”.
If passed the Bill would see the Minister become obliged to inspect aircrafts which are granted exemptions to carry these items thus “ensuring Ireland is not blindly complicit in the transit of munitions of war which may be used in the genocide in Gaza”.
In February the Civil Engagement Group Motion on Gaza was passed unopposed in the Seanad.
This motion called on the Government to “provide a money message for the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 and to support the enactment of the Illegal Israel Settlements Divestment Bill 2023”.
“Both these bills are designed to reflect the principles of BDS and Ireland’s obligations under International law”.
“The International Court of Justice has ordered states to take provisional measures to prevent acts being committed in contravention of Article II of the Genocide Convention against the people of Gaza”.
“The Irish Government must act”.
“It is more important than ever to use all diplomatic and political tools available to put pressure on Israel to end their ongoing breaches of International law”, they concluded.
The Arms Embargo Bill 2024 will advance to second stage in the Seanad on May 29.
