Press Releases

BADIL on advocacy tour in Ireland and the United Kingdom

18 August 2014. Through the facilitation and support of one of its partners, BADIL undertook a public speaking and advocacy tour in Ireland and the United Kingdom from 5-13 August. The tour involved public talks, meetings with government officials and political party representatives, media spots with various local radio stations and partner meetings.

The public talks took place in Dublin, Derry and Belfast, as part of the annual Feile (festival for social justice and human rights). Over 200 people, activists, human rights defenders, public officials and political party members, attended the talks which centered on the ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza, Israel’s continued failure to comply with international law and the extent of war crimes committed by Israel.

BADIL also had the opportunity to speak directly with a dozen members of parliament from various political parties from both Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as government officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ireland. BADIL encouraged officials to engage in actions that would hold the state of Israel accountable for its war crimes in Gaza and ongoing breaches of international law.

BADIL was featured on Newstalk in Dublin for the Breakfast Show (boasts 100,000 listeners), BBC Radio Foyle in Derry, and BBC Radio Ulster in Belfast (also reaching thousands of listeners). BADIL promoted its rights-based approach specifically in regard to the current war on Gaza and Israel’s responsibilities and obligations under international humanitarian law.

BADIL met with several partners throughout the tour to discuss current projects, strategies to advance mutual goals, ways to enhance the partnership and increase synergies for greater efficiency and impact. To take full advantage of the tour, meetings with members of the Legal Support Network and potential partners were also realized.