Dublin's National Concert Hall Cancels Fundraiser for Israeli Emergency Service, Sparking Controversy

The National Concert Hall (NCH) in Dublin has faced significant backlash after it canceled a planned fundraiser for Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's emergency medical service. The event, scheduled for May 11, 2026, was intended to feature a play titled "October 7," which includes testimonies from survivors and first responders of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Initially arranged in early February, the event was canceled and reinstated once before, only to be canceled again, with the NCH stating it does not host political events. However, this reasoning has been met with criticism from various quarters.

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Gilad Erdan, global president of Magen David Adom and former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, condemned the cancellation as "antisemitic" and an act of censorship. He argued that the decision deprives Israelis of vital humanitarian aid and silences important narratives surrounding the October 7 attacks. Alan Shatter, chair of MDA Ireland, echoed this sentiment, labeling the cancellation as "truly disgraceful and shocking." He called for the event's reinstatement and the resignation of those responsible for the cancellation, citing a growing perception of Ireland as one of the most antisemitic countries in Europe.

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Ann McElhinney, co-writer of the play, criticized the decision as damaging to Ireland's reputation as a venue for artistic expression. She emphasized that the play includes both Jewish and Arab voices, stating, "The National Concert Hall has told them: we don’t want to hear your stories."

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The cancellation comes amid heightened tensions between Ireland and Israel, particularly following the October 2023 Hamas attack, which resulted in significant civilian casualties. Ireland's National Ambulance Service had previously sent a delegation to Israel to study MDA's operations, a move that has also faced scrutiny. Irish politician Catherine Connolly has questioned the appropriateness of such engagements, citing reports of violence against Palestinian emergency responders.

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While the NCH has cited "new circumstances" as a reason for the cancellation, specific details regarding these circumstances remain unclear. The venue's board reportedly engaged in discussions with Irish diplomats and the Department of Culture prior to the final decision, but the nature of these discussions has not been disclosed.

The Irish Times

The controversy surrounding the NCH's decision is likely to continue, with calls for reinstatement of the event and further scrutiny of Ireland's stance on Israel and Palestine. The situation reflects broader tensions in the region and raises questions about freedom of expression and the role of cultural institutions in political discourse.

The Irish Times

• “By canceling and censoring the event, NCH has made a political decision to stop a presentation of a factual depiction of the atrocities of October 7 in the words of survivors and responders and is also depriving Israelis of all backgrounds of the benefit of vital aid for humanitarian life saving services,” — Gilad Erdan, Global President of Magen David Adom

Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)

• “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,” — Alan Shatter, Chair of Magen David Adom Ireland

Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)

• “It seems there is no room in Ireland for the truth about Israel.” — Ann McElhinney, Co-writer of "October 7."

Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)