I4C Trouble with Daly and Wallace

We're back from the Christmas break to discuss the ICJ genocide case against Israel initiated by South Africa, as well as the Irish government's disappointing reaction to it. We also talk about the US/UK strikes against the Houthis, the rise of militarism in Europe and the housing crisis in Ireland.

On the last episode of the year, Mick and Clare share their updates from the plenary week in Strasbourg. They talk about the disappointing Parliamentary debate concerning Gaza, the influence of the arms industry in the EU, the war in Ukraine and the racism of Irish refugee policies.

This week Clare and Mick talk about their trip to Macedonia, challenges faced by Macedonia in joining the EU, cleaners firing their boss and forming a cooperative, consequences of legislation change on small businesses, and the worsening situation in Palestine.

In today's episode, Mick and Clare address the riots in Dublin last week. They also talk about the blatant dehumanisation of Palestinian lives, racism and the importance of persevering.

This week Clare and Mick are back in Strasbourg for another plenary session. They call out the EU's hypocrisy and cynicism in commemorating the International Day on the Rights of the Child and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women while refusing to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Are Palestinian children and women less deserving of rights and safety? They also discuss a vote on changing the EU Treaties that would push the EU towards further militarisation, the same day the Irish government announces it plans to abolish the Triple Lock. Lastly, they talk about the rise of the far-right and what they think the reasons for their success are.

This week we continue to discuss the catastrophic situation in Gaza. We comment on the right to self-defence and whether Israel is entitled to claim it, the genocide convention and what can Ireland and other EU states do to end this massacre.We also talk about Cuba and the US blockade against the island.

It's been over a month of unrelenting bombing, death and horror in the Gaza Strip. And it's been over 75 years of Israeli impunity and colonial violence. Every new death could have been avoided with yesterday's ceasefire. Shame on the EU for refusing to call for one: a ceasefire is not a radical demand, it's the bare minimum!While it's difficult to talk about anything other than the genocide being perpetrated against the Palestinians, we take some time to discuss the Commission's recommendation to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and to grant candidate status to Georgia.Lastly, if you're interested in hosting an event with Mansoor Adayfi in Ireland between the end of November and January, please get in contact with Nicolas: nicolas.jeanne@europarl.europa.eu

On this final episode we hear from Andy Worthington, Investigative journalist and activist, who tells us about the plight of the 16 men who have been cleared for release but continue to be detained in Guantánamo. He urges EU governments to take action to end this deplorable situation.And our last speaker is Moazzam Begg, former Guantánamo Bay detainee, who shares some of the horrors he witnessed and explains the prisoners' deep pain and trauma from being cut off from their families for years.

On this third episode we hear from two remarkable legal experts:Alka Pradhan, Human Rights Counsel at the Guantanamo Bay Military Commissions,  explains the US’s use of Guantánamo as a legal black hole. She also emphasises the urgent crisis in medical care affecting the men still in Guantánamo, an aging detainee population quickly deteriorating after years of torture and harsh conditions.Our second guest is Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. After a historic technical visit to Guantánamo, her report concludes that detainees have sustained “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment under international law."

While the European Council gathers in Brussels to assess the situation in the Middle East, Mick and Clare explain that calling for anything less than an immediate ceasefire is an abnegation of collective responsibility. Which EU values is the Commission representing? What will it take for the EU to demand an end to collective punishment? The gap between European citizens' views and the actions of our institutions continues to widen.