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Disgraceful! The National Concert Hall in Ireland has cancelled our planned performance of the OCTOBER 7 play. It seems there is no room in Ireland for the truth about Israel. We went to Israel after the massacre to collect the testimony of those who lived through the country’s darkest day. We saw there was a need for the truth in Ireland and further afield. We created a verbatim play from the stories we heard. The New York Post described the OCTOBER 7 play as “compelling”. It has been performed off-Broadway for six weeks and in Princeton, UCLA , Bowdoin College and the Kennedy Center in DC. Every performance was sold out. But now because of the actions of the National Concert Hall Irish people will not be allowed to hear the truth about October 7 and Israel - in the words of those who lived through the day. This is hugely damaging to Ireland’s reputation as a home for art and artists. What a statement this makes! OCTOBER 7 has Jewish and Arab voices. The National Concert Hall has told them: we don't want to hear your stories. It's shameful but will not be allowed to stand. We will bring the OCTOBER 7 play to Ireland.

Statement by Alan Shatter, Chair of Magen David Adom Ireland* “ The cancellation by the National Concert Hall of MDA Ireland’s scheduled private fund raising event can be properly described as an act of antisemitic censorship “ says Shatter “ The National Concert Hall  disgracefully & indefensibly cancelling  a Magen David Adom Ireland private fund raising event scheduled for May 11 at which the experiences of survivors of the Hamas massacre and of responders on October 7, over two years ago were to be narrated in their own words in a staged reading is truly disgraceful and shocking.   Engagement on the event commenced in November last, the date for the event was finalised in early February and since then the NCH have cancelled it, reinstated it and cancelled it again, each cancellation having a spurious basis.  In the end it seems that the NCH regards  it as wrong that the stories of the survivors and responders of October 7, 2023 be told in their own words . The events cancellation by the NCH can be properly described as an act of antisemitic censorship. What behind the scene lobbying or pressure, if any, impacted the decision is unknown.  There is an escalating global perception of Ireland as one of the most antisemitic countries in Europe. After years of denial the Taoiseach in January acknowledged the existence of a problem that uniquely impacts our Jewish community. Unfortunately , the decision of the NCH will add to that perception. I am deeply saddened that we have arrived at the position in Ireland where it is acceptable that our publicly funded National Concert Hall and its board stop the factual, undecorated narration on one of its stages of the worst Jewish tragedy since the Holocaust that also  impacted others, a tragedy involving murders, rapes and abductions and heroism of responders and rescuers. A private fund raising event for  an independent humanitarian organisation dedicated to life saving & emergency medical response connected to the Jewish community should not be a cause of difficulty or controversy. I am calling on the Board of the NCH to reinstate our event and for the resignation of those who saw fit to cancel it. The lack of insight and understanding is truly shocking.” Alan Shatter Chair MDA Ireland 12 April 2026 * Magen David Adom Ireland is an Irish registered charity that raises funds for Magen David Adom in Israel which is Israel’s national independent emergency medical response and ambulance service. It serves and has employees,  paramedics and ambulance drivers from every community across Israel. It is also a member of the international Red Cross/Red Crescent movement

The Abraham Global Peace Initiative (AGPI) condemns the actions of Pedro Sánchez, who has crossed every diplomatic line by withdrawing Spain’s ambassador from Israel while reopening its embassy in Tehran. His call on the European Union to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel further underscores a deeply troubling and one-sided agenda. Such moves reflect a profound moral inversion at a time requiring clarity and leadership. His harsh anti-Israel rhetoric says far more about his political posture than it does about Israel. AGPI urges Spain to reconsider this dangerous course.

Let it be remembered in history We have never started a war. We have never invaded anyone. We have not killed children. We have protected our homeland, dearer to us than our lives.

We had wanted to bring you the great news that the OCTOBER 7 play was finally going to Ireland. We had arranged a staged reading at the National Concert Hall — a prestigious venue for such a historic play. It was going to be part of a night honoring Magen David Adom, the Israeli ambulance service. But now the NCH says they are “reconsidering” the booking upon hearing it will include the OCTOBER 7 play because some are calling it political. This is wrong. The play is verbatim — pure journalism. It consists of Jewish voices about Israel’s darkest day, with no editorializing. This is not the first time the play has faced opposition. We tried to rent the Abbey Theatre — Ireland’s National Theatre — but we were not welcome. Magen David Adom was also initially rejected by the NCH, but they allowed it under pressure. Now, for the second time, because a staged reading of the OCTOBER 7 play is part of the program, they are “considering all aspects of this matter.” We will keep you informed of developments.

We had wanted to bring you the great news that the OCTOBER 7 play was finally going to Ireland. We had arranged a staged reading at the National Concert Hall — a prestigious venue for such a historic play. It was going to be part of a night honoring Magen David Adom, the Israeli ambulance service. But now the NCH says they are “reconsidering” the booking upon hearing it will include the OCTOBER 7 play because some are calling it political. This is wrong. The play is verbatim — pure journalism. It consists of Jewish voices about Israel’s darkest day, with no editorializing. This is not the first time the play has faced opposition. We tried to rent the Abbey Theatre — Ireland’s National Theatre — but we were not welcome. Magen David Adom was also initially rejected by the NCH, but they allowed it under pressure. Now, for the second time, because a staged reading of the OCTOBER 7 play is part of the program, they are “considering all aspects of this matter.” We will keep you informed of developments.