International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People marked in Fingal

Padraig Conlon 30 Nov 2021
Cllr Daniel Whooley Deputy Mayor of Fingal with Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland and Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh Mayor of Fingal

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh and Deputy Mayor Cllr Daniel Whooley welcomed Dr Jilan Abdalmajid, Ambassador of the State of Palestine, to County Hall in Swords yesterday to mark UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Representatives from the Palestinian community in Fingal were also present.

The Palestinian flag was flown at County Hall as a gesture of solidarity and builds on Fingal County Council’s previous connections with the Ambassador and the state of Palestine.

Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland with Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh Mayor of Fingal

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh said “It is a honour to welcome Dr Abdalmajid to Fingal today.

“I have visited Palestine many times and there are strong bonds between our people.

“I particularly want to show solidarity with the Palestinian people in light of the recent designation of six Palestinian human rights organisations as terrorist institutions.

“This is in effect an attempt to eradicate all activities of Palestinian civil society and is deeply troubling.”

Deputy Mayor Whooley said: “The people of Fingal stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Palestine in their long fight for freedom.

“The consistent human rights violations towards the Palestinian People are a stain against humanity; I show solidarity and remind Palestinians that they are not alone in their fight for freedom.

“The arc of history is long, but it bends towards justice.

“One day it is my fervent hope to see a Free Palestine.”

Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Dr Jilan Abdalmajid said:

“The collegial bilateral relations and strong ties between Ireland and Palestine are celebrated by me and by the people of Palestine, and this gesture of solidarity between our people is deeply appreciated.

“Having the flag of Palestine flying above municipal buildings in Ireland is an honour for us.”

Dr Bassam Nassr, spokesperson for the Palestinian Community in Ireland said:

“The raising of the Palestinian flag over Irish municipal buildings is such an important gesture of solidarity with the people of Palestine.

“It definitely sets a precedent.

“We ask of the free world, it is time to recognise the free state of Palestine.

“Thank you Ireland for the initiative.”

The Mayor of Fingal presented the Ambassador with a framed Giclée artwork produced by local artist Matthew Kelly, representing the Palestinian sunbird and the Fingal raven sharing a moment of solidarity.

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