Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Sinn Féin MEPs Matt Carthy, Martina Anderson and Lynn Boylan at the Gilo settlement in the West Bank. Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin MEPs barred from entering Gaza during trip to Palestine

The group was told their visit was “not directly concerned with humanitarian assistance.”

ISRAEL HAS BLOCKED a group of 13 MEPs, including three from Sinn Féin, from entering Gaza this morning.

Martina Anderson, Lynn Boylan and Matt Carthy arrived yesterday on a four-day trip to Palestine with the European United Left/Nordic Green Left group of MEPs.

They had intended to visit Gaza, but according to a statement from GUE/NGL, all 13 were denied entry.

Northern Ireland MEP Martina Anderson said:

The Israeli government refused us, 13 MEPs from six countries, entry into Gaza on the grounds that our visit to the region is ‘not directly concerned with the provision of humanitarian assistance.’
We want to go to Gaza to assess the situation on the ground first hand.
This would have enabled us to relay that information back to the European Parliament and push for greater provision of EU humanitarian aid to Gaza and an end to the blockade and occupation.

10629578_784685324923559_5803568722086209713_n Sinn Féin MEPs Matt Carthy, Martina Anderson and Lynn Boylan at a meeting with civil society groups in Jerusalem. GUE / NGL GUE / NGL / NGL

The delegation went to Jerusalem today, meeting with civil society groups including Rabbis for Peace, Breaking the Silence and Combatants for Peace, as well as Haaretz journalist Amira Hass.

A spokesperson from the Israeli National Police did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.

Read: “Settlements are illegal” – Ireland joins chorus of condemnation of Israeli land grab>

Sinn Féin wants Ireland to stop buying Israeli-made military equipment>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
201 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tubbsyf
    Favourite tubbsyf
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 8:49 PM

    Yet the gaa which has terrible participation rates get the majority if grants. More pools, cycle tracks , astro pitches etc needed

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Davis Payne
    Favourite Davis Payne
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 9:37 PM

    Sport is not the answer to mental health issues, I know a lot of people that suffer immense sports anxiety. I know 1 person in particular that suffered huge depression as a result of the team losing a number of matches where he took the blame on himself. Unfortunately sport is not a quick fix, there is none. We need to manage the expectations and pressures we put on people as a nation.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Troy
    Favourite Seán Troy
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 9:54 PM

    @Davis Payne:

    There is no better solution for anxiety than exercise. Power lifting in particular.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute helen walsh
    Favourite helen walsh
    Report
    Sep 9th 2019, 12:24 AM

    @Davis Payne: yes and another thing..hands were made to use, more hobbies, more diy…more community involvement, more jobs for pocket money from a young age. Less social media.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seamus Scott
    Favourite Seamus Scott
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 10:25 PM

    Sport is not the answer , your deluded if you think that , it’s a help but not the answer , will sport be there when your down in yourself at midnight , what about lots of guys who just can’t stand sport it’s not the answer for them , who makes up this stuff .

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SC
    Favourite SC
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 10:31 PM

    Men are not so irrational. When they are stressed it is usually because of real iddues like financial or relationship problems or loneliness. There’s a lot society can do (get rent under control,.make young men feel wanted in work and like their life has direction, give young people back some free time so they can actually socialise and meet women/men rather than work and go to the gym.all the time) and not as much an individual can do for themselves because these big issues are out of our hands.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Joe & Bridie
    Favourite John Joe & Bridie
    Report
    Sep 9th 2019, 9:50 AM

    Every 6 weeks we get a Lynn knows best article…..

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wayne Scales
    Favourite Wayne Scales
    Report
    Sep 8th 2019, 9:57 PM

    100% correct doesn’t work for everyone but for many it is the light at the e d of a dark tunnel.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Sep 9th 2019, 7:13 AM

    Sport isn’t a blanket answer to mental health issues. I’ve played competitive sports from a young age. If you have low self esteem to begin with, you need to be very careful what sports you choose to participate in. From what i’ve seen in the various sports and clubs i’ve been in, bullying and verbal abuse is rife in them.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean May
    Favourite Sean May
    Report
    Sep 9th 2019, 1:16 PM

    @Dave Doyle: I agree whole-heartedly with you on this. I lost all interest in sporting activity for years as a result of such abuse.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Henry Gaynor
    Favourite Henry Gaynor
    Report
    Sep 9th 2019, 8:18 AM

    All young men should do two years compulsory military service. They will learn the value of discipline, fitness, comradeship, and taking care of themselves.

    9
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds