MEP Clare Daly likens Trinity College camp to Vietnam protests, telling students: ‘You will change history’

Irish MEP Clare Daly has likened the pro-Palestinian Trinity College Dublin encampment to the Vietnam protests of the 1970s, telling students in an address on campus that their actions too will “change history”.

The left-wing politician delivered an speech to the student protesters, who have set up camp in protest at the college’s investment and academic ties to Israel.

The situation led to Trinity closing its doors to the public on Saturday after the world-famous Book of Kells exhibition which is housed on campus was barricaded by protesters, whose actions mirror those of students in universities in the US in recent weeks.

Security personnel are in place at the entrance to the campus, with valid college IDs required to gain access.

The college’s libraries, Sports Centre, Book of Kells Experience, Old Library and the Pavilion Bar have all been closed until further notice while sports fixtures, a concert and social events have been cancelled, postponed or moved to another venue, the college confirmed.

“You really are an absolute inspiration. It just makes me so proud, actually quite emotional to see what you have done,” Ms Daly said.

She acknowledged the sacrifices that students are making in “putting your careers and futures at stake” by being involved in the protest and encampment.

“Because what you have done is what the political leaders, business leaders, what the ‘so called’ adults in Ireland and other societies should be doing,” she said on Saturday.

“They haven’t got half the brass neck or the balls that ye have and it is so desperately needed.”

Students in multiple colleges in the US have faced violent police crackdowns on their encampments.

Ms Daly, who has been an MEP since 2019, and has often faced accusations, which she denies, of being sympathetic to Russia by opposing sending arms to Ukraine, said the Irish students are proudly standing in the tradition of the students who fought and succeeded in ending Vietnam.

“And that student struggle changed history. I have no doubt that your action that is part of a global movement of student decency is going to be exactly the same this time round,” she said.

Ms Daly thanked the students on behalf of herself, the people of Ireland and others internationally.

She stressed that she and other MEPs have tried to use their platform in the European Parliament to call out the actions of European leaders.

“The truth is that the genocide convention says that not only do you have an obligation not to commit genocide yourself but if you are a signatory to that convention you have an onus to prevent and punish genocide in others,” she said.

“Not only has the European Union and United States not done that in silence, they have actually enabled and supported that, is the level of their complicity.”

“They are drenched in the blood of innocent Palestinians,” she added.

Ms Daly also spoke of the armament of Israel from the UK, US and Germany as well as Ireland’s exporting of restricted dual-use goods to Israel that have potential for military purposes.

“Sadly, Ireland has done absolutely nothing to stand by Palestine but you have. And in your action you express the hearts and minds and decency of people everywhere,” she said.

She called the EU-Israel Association Agreement that the EU has which Ireland recently sent a letter calling for a review to be instated as “scandalous”.

The Independents 4 Change politician also criticised Ursula Von Der Leyen, president of the European Commission, who she called ‘Frau Genocide’ in her address to Trinity College protesters.

She spoke of Ms Von Der Leyen’s comments that “Israel has a duty to defend itself” adding that she “does not have the authority of law to speak for the European Union in matters of foreign affairs.”

Ms Daly claimed that all the other 700 MEPs, including those from Ireland, except for herself and Mick Wallace MEP, were afraid to call the European Union out for fear of “being antisemitic”.

“The future of Gaza really is the future of humanity,” she said.

“If they get away with this [ignoring the international court of justice and international law], then it is the harbinger of a much more violent, extreme world where everybody’s interest and humanity itself is at stake,” Ms Daly added.

She said: “It is so emotional for me seeing your young faces, your self-sacrificing, you being the only ones to have the decency to stand where others should be. You are the real leaders.”

A Trinity College spokesperson said Trinity respects the strong stance expressed by the people participating in the encampment protest and blockade, and support the right to peaceful protest.

“There are also however many good reasons why the university’s policies, including health and safety, dignity and respect, must be followed when doing so,” they said.

The college said its duty of care to students and staff is “paramount”.

“In order to ensure we can deliver on that duty of care for our students, we are ensuring that those protesting on campus are members of the college community, so access to campus has been restricted to students and staff with valid college ID cards only.

“We have not made this decision lightly. Regrettably, this will have a direct impact on our students and staff,” they said.

“Trinity shares concerns about the ferocious onslaught in Gaza and the ongoing dire humanitarian crisis. We have taken a number of practical steps in response to the war in Gaza.

“These range from updating our investment portfolio with a view to excluding UN blacklist companies, to providing supports for students from Gaza coming to study in Trinity.

“Trinity is always open to engaging with staff and students on these issues: in the past week alone, the Provost has met with Academics for Palestine and also with the Students’ Union President and Students’ Union officers to discuss these issues.

“We also continue to engage with our Jewish staff and students who are impacted,” they added.

Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan’s exclusive take on the day’s news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.