Arrests Made As Activists Chain Themselves To Department Of Justice For Gaza Visas

Activists from Jews for Palestine chained themselves inside the Department of Justice following a protest held today against the FFG government’s decision to reject 103 Palestinian student visas, leading to arrests. 

The action comes amidst a wave of protests over the issue. A protest was organised against the decision on July 31st and attended by large crowds of students and workers, while a further protest by Social Rights Ireland was held on August 25th, both outside the Department of (In)Justice. 

The decision has been slammed as holding students from Palestine to “impossible” standards. Activists also pointed out that the decision is part of a broader Zionist-dominated system, in which 75 IDF soldiers are allowed to roam free in Ireland, while Palestinian students are denied the opportunity to study in Ireland, and noted that a Turkish anti-imperialist activist, Sami Kupiezewski, is facing a “life-threatening” deportation on orders of O’Callaghan. 

The government has confirmed that it has no plans to introduce exemptions from the immigration regulations which have been described by activists as “overly-stringent”, in response to which activists escalated their actions. 

The direct action was taken against Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration  (In)Justice Jim O’Callaghan, and followed a series of protests against the decision. A total of 4 people were chained inside the building. The handcuffs were removed, they were arrested and reportedly taken to Kevin Street Garda station. 

"Members of Jews for Palestine Ireland, in collaboration with student groups, have handcuffed ourselves inside the Department of Justice, and we will not be moving until the decision to refuse visas for Gaza students is reversed. There is zero time to change this decision. There's a scheduled evacuation date for September 14th. If Jim O'Callaghan wants it, he has the authority to rescind previous orders to deny visas to the academically accomplished students from Gaza, nearly 30 of whom have been offered fully funded scholarships and have since arrived out here in time to begin this academic year in Ireland , " a member of Jews For Palestine participating in the action said, adding that "Jim O'Callaghan, reverse your decision, permitting students from Gaza to come to Ireland to study in line with the wishes of a clear majority of students, academic institutions and the Irish public".

This news comes after an academic conference in Maynooth was cancelled in light of the FF/FG decision, which was due to discuss Irish Solidarity with Palestine.