The University of Galway’s Journalism and Media Discipline hosted the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid.
The public interview was conducted on Thursday, 30 January in the Aula Maxima of the Quadrangle.
Her excellency, the Ambassador was welcomed by Mr Tom Felle, Head of the Journalism and Communications Discipline.
He introduced the Ambassador and referred to the “unique and enduring relationship” between the two nations of Ireland and Palestine during his opening address.
During the Ambassador’s speech, she thanked the Irish people for hosting her with a warm welcome.
“The casualty toll inflicted by Israel on Gaza from 8 October 2023 to 22 January 2025 now tragically stands at more than 47,000 Palestinian men, women and children killed and more than 7,000 injured.”
This number doesn’t include those who died due to malnutrition, disease and infections and the thousands still missing under the rubble or in Israeli prisons.
The Ambassador called for an; “independent international investigation” and for all those responsible for the “war crimes, crimes against humanity and acts of genocide against the Palestinian people” to be held accountable.
The discussion with the Palestinian Ambassador was carried out by Dr Rounwah Bseiso, a University of Galway Assistant Professor/ Lecturer in Global Media and Journalism, who has strong ties to Palestine, both ethnically and academically.
She found that; “after a couple of months and witnessing and studying and seeing what was happening all over the world, that there is a greater understanding of the conflict as a settler colonial movement that actually began in the 1800s.”
This is due to the accessibility to the conflict from Palestinian journalists on the ground through social media, who are able to debunk Israeli propaganda and narratives.
Dr Abdalmajid stressed that countries who wish to put pressure on Israel, to end the conflict must put in place an arms embargo and sanctions, and they must alter their relationship with the United States.
The ambassador drew similarities between the colonial history of Ireland and Palestine and our struggle for freedom.
She expressed that Ireland, being a free and independent state has inspired the Palestinian people but said she hopes Palestine will not have to wait 700 years for their freedom.
Dr Abdalmajid is sometimes asked, “‘are you optimistic? [about the future of Palestine] No, I’m not optimistic but I still have hope, because without hope you wouldn’t remain.”
The Ambassador was questioned about the 21-year-old student journalist, Shatha Al-Sabbagh, who was shot dead on 28 December 2024, which caused Al Jazeera to be temporarily suspended for reporting on her death.
Her family are allegedly waiting for the results of an independent review but they released a statement on Telegram, part of which said, “as the family of the martyr Shatha Al-Sabbagh, we hold the Palestinian Authority and its security services directly responsible for its crime.”
The Ambassador stated, “we have rules that must be respected, all media platforms [that] work in Palestine, know these ethics and respect them and when they do not abide by these rules, there must be steps taken by the authorities or the government. I wanted as well to emphasise that we respect the freedom of speech and the freedom of journalism.”
Telegram link: https://t.me/shatha_sabagh/14014
