Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid received a warm welcome to Tipperary town this afternoon at a civic reception in her honour.
Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council Councillor Marie Murphy extended warm wishes to the Ambassador in welcoming her to the county on behalf of the municipal council and the people of the district.
Joe McGrath, Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council echoed this sentiment and said that even though the countries of Ireland and Palestine are some distance apart geographically, Ambassador Abdalmajid’s visit to Tipperary bridged the distance between the countries.
Speaking at the civic reception, the ambassador said she wished to be inspired by the history of Tipperary.
She also used her visit to urge the Irish government to continue supporting the plight of her home country.
“Lets, from Tipperary, call the international community and call the Irish government to continue supporting the Palestinians.
“Not only on the political and financial, but we need concrete action from the international community,” the ambassador said.
The consulate finished her speech by asking the Cathaoirleach to consider a twinning programme between Tipperary and a town in Palestine.
“Politics is very important, but I feel the ties and the foundations from people to people is even stronger,” Dr Abdalmajid said.
The ambassador will finish her visit to Tipperary by visiting the village of Bansha and planting a tree on the village green as well as meeting pupils from Bansha National School, before returning to Tipperary town to visit Knockanrawley Resource Centre and the Circle of Frinds Cancer Support Centre.
You can listen to Catherine Fogarty’s interview with Dr. Jilam Wahba Abdalmajid ahead of her official visit here:
