Voice of Gaza

Some Nobel laureates are easy to celebrate. This is one of them.

Navi Pillay’s first day in court came when she was 5, testifying against a man who’d robbed her.

She grew up to be the first woman of colour to open a law practice in Natal, in 1967, under apartheid, defending its prisoners, including her own husband.

When Nelson Mandela became president, he nominated her to the High Court, then recommended her for the UN tribunal trying Rwanda’s genocide. 

 

Three years ago, at this very hour, Gaza was living its last normal night — and none of us knew it would be the last.
Those were the final quiet hours of families sitting together, unaware of what the morning would bring.
The last embraces for children, men, and women who would later lose their lives.
Perhaps the last goodbyes between friends and relatives who never imagined they were saying goodbye for the final time.
They were the final hours for homes that would disappear.

May the hands that inflict suffering be stopped. May the hearts that have grown indifferent rediscover compassion. And may every oppressed person, in Palestine and beyond, one day live free from fear, humiliation, and injustice.

History may record the weapons of the powerful, but humanity will remember the tears of the powerless.

May justice prevail. May oppression end. And may Palestine one day know the freedom, dignity, and peace that every human being deserves.

Former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo has sparked debate after reportedly saying he felt “ashamed to be a Jew” while witnessing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. During a visit to Palestinian villages that had recently experienced attacks, Pardo condemned the violence and warned that it posed a serious threat to Israel’s future and could deepen divisions within Israeli society. He also reportedly drew comparisons between what he witnessed and historical persecution endured by Jewish communities. His remarks have renewed attention to settler violence, accountability, and the humanitarian conditions facing Palestinians in the West Bank. Comments from former senior Israeli security officials have also added to the broader discussion over government policies, the protection of civilians, and the long term consequences of continued violence in the region.

It’s hard to believe that, after everything humanity has experienced throughout history, we are still witnessing genocide in our world today. Equally disturbing is the sheer volume of propaganda used to justify these atrocities, often through misinformation, distorted narratives, and media manipulation.

Do not look away from Gaza.
Do not look away from Lebanon.
Do not look away from Sudan.
Do not look away from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Our compassion should never depend on which crisis dominates the headlines or which victims our political allies find convenient to acknowledge.

Pep Guardiola: “We are living through a very dark time in our history. We see girls and boys in Gaza searching for their parents among the rubble. Ask for help. Suffering from hunger. To be left alone. We watch them lose everything before they’ve even had a chance to grow up.

"And the hell continues, and with it, the dehumanisation of the Palestinian people. Their lives matter as much as ours. Their pain is not unfamiliar. Let’s not forget. Solidarity with Palestine cannot take a break. Neither can our responsibility…

"As of today the Israel government has killed more than 74,000 people in Gaza and continues to obstruct the entry of humanitarian aid. And while Gaza remains devastated, the demolition of Palestinian homes and forced displacements in the West Bank continues."

" A Wise Storyteller "

 

A Wise Storyteller

In a little town, far far away, there was a little old woman whose years were beyond counting. This old woman was famed as a wise storyteller, and many would make the trip to this little secluded place, just to ask for her advice.

One day, a young woman, her beautiful face twisted by sadness and tears, approached the old storyteller. 

"May I ask a question?" She asked her, as they sat in the market square. It was quiet, early morning, and only they were there.

"Of course, child." said the storyteller as she carefully marked her place in her book. "Tell me what brings such hurt to your eyes."

"My problem," said the young woman painfully, "is that I am good-for-nothing, I just don't... fit in with anything. I've tried so many careers and wasn't suitable for any of them."

The wise old woman slowly nodded and stroked her pipe.

"I've lived in many places and never did I feel I belonged." 

The old woman smiled.

"I've dated many men but have never found my true love."

"I've-" 

"Let me stop you there..." Said the storyteller, lifting a hand to halt the onslaught of worried words.

The woman quieted, breathing heavily.

"... and tell you a story. Isn't that why you came here?" She smiled and took a puff on her pipe.

"It may surprise you, perhaps hard to even imagine looking at this old face, but a long time ago, I was in a similar situation as yours. I too felt different from everyone else, and nowhere did I seem to belong. But I did not have a wise old storyteller to ask for advice, and so I went on a long journey to find the answer my soul sought.

Long indeed was the journey. I crossed streams and rivers, hiked up hills and mountains, found forgotten places and wondrous creatures and men, but never did an answer I found. Until one day.
On that day, while walking through a field next to a village I cannot recall the name of anymore, there was a little brick wall, perhaps 5 foot tall, next to a little house. But that was not what caught my eye, no. What caught my eye were three archery practicing targets on the wall, and in the exact bullseye of each of them was an arrow, stuck as firmly as could be."
 

The old lady stopped for a little puff on her pipe while the young lady did a little jig of impatience with her feet.

"In all my journeys, I have seen many great archers, so I know it to be a hard discipline. I was amazed to find such talent at such a humble place. Then I noticed a little girl peeking at me from the cottage door. Come I bade her and she did. And I asked her: "Dear child, do you know who is the archer who put these arrows in those targets?" She blushed and answered that she was that archer.
I was even more amazed and asked her how she became such an extraordinary shot at such a young age. She blushed further and, in a whispering voice, admitted that she had stuck the arrows in the wall and then painted the targets around them..."

The old woman chuckled softly while the young woman made a puzzled face. 

"I don't understand..."

"That was the moment I learned about the essence of things, my child. You cannot find a place to own you before you own yourself. You must recognize who YOU are, and build a place around you that suits you. In other words, find what you truly wish for and build a life around it. Make life work itself around you, instead of trying to find where you belong. Perhaps the place you belong to is a place you are yet to create."

The young woman thanked her for her wisdom, dried her tears, straightened her back and walked purposefully away.

We can all learn a lot from that wise storyteller.

"The Bundle of Sticks"

 

The Bundle of Sticks

Once there was an elderly farmer who had several sons. Although they loved their father, they were constantly arguing with one another. They fought over small matters every day and refused to work together.

The farmer grew worried. He knew that if his sons continued to quarrel, they would face many hardships after he was gone. He tried to advise them many times, but they ignored his words.

One day, he gathered all of his sons and asked each of them to bring a sturdy stick. After collecting the sticks, he tied them together tightly into a large bundle.

Handing the bundle to his eldest son, the farmer said, "Try to break it."

The son used all his strength, but the bundle would not break.

The farmer passed the bundle to each of the other sons. One after another, they struggled with all their might, yet none of them could break it.

Then the farmer untied the bundle and handed each son a single stick.

"Now break your stick," he said.

Each son snapped his stick easily with little effort.

The farmer smiled and said, "My sons, this is the lesson I want you to remember. When you stand together and support one another, no one can easily defeat you. But if you are divided and always fighting among yourselves, you will be as easy to break as these single sticks."

The sons finally understood their father's wisdom. From that day forward, they worked together, helped one another, and lived in harmony.

Moral of the Story: Unity is strength. Together, people can overcome challenges that would defeat them individually.

Where do you stand ?

 

Catherine Connolly was elected President of Ireland in a landslide last October and took office in November 2025. As a long-time independent lawmaker, she has repeatedly described Israel as a “terrorist state” and “rogue state,” accused it of committing genocide in Gaza, and stated that Hamas forms “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people.”

She has condemned the October 7 attacks as wrong while insisting the conflict’s history did not begin that day, and has called for both sides to disarm and be held accountable for war crimes. These views, expressed before and during her campaign, drew sharp criticism from some Irish leaders and Jewish community voices, yet aligned with significant public sentiment in Ireland. In her ceremonial role she continues to speak against the “normalisation of war and genocide.”

 

 

NAZA, the documentary by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, has set Israel ablaze — not with remorse, but with rage. Rather than confront what the film documents, most Israelis condemned it. The government branded the two filmmakers traitors, ministers demanded their citizenship be revoked, and they now live under death threats.

That is disgraceful. But the greater tragedy is Israel's refusal to look in the mirror and admit that crimes against humanity — genocide — were committed in Gaza. Denial is not a shield; it is moral collapse. A nation that cannot face what it has inflicted on the Palestinians will carry that stigma for generations. When will Israelis wake up? Until they do, the truth will wait — and the price will go much higher.

Far-right Israeli activists have gathered outside the home of Rachel Szor's parents in the town of Savyon, demanding that the family be expelled from the country and their homes sealed.

Protesters have chanted slogans such as "death penalty for traitors" and demanded that the filmmakers be tried and executed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denounced the film as anti-Semitic incitement. Following this, Culture Minister Miki Zohar accused the directors of "treason" and began taking immediate steps to investigate revoking Abraham and Szor's Israeli citizenship.

 

More than 700 Israeli filmmakers and international figures have signed a petition standing in solidarity with the directors, warning that the state-led campaign is moving dangerously close to "effectively sanctioning violence" against them.

The International Federation of Journalists report that at past 267 journalists and media workers have been killed since October 7 2023. (An estimated 67-69 journalists were killed during World War Two)

The Ed Sheeran Loop Tour will reportedly continue. The lights will come on. The merchandise tables will open. Thousands of people will sing along, and the enormous machine will keep moving because enormous machines are built to survive the removal of anyone with a conscience.

But the absence will be louder than the music.

Macklemore will not be there.

Finneas will not be there.

Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga will not be there.

The tour may still have its headliner, but the people willing to risk something have left the building.

Ed Sheeran wanted his stage to remain neutral.

Now it is simply empty.

 

 

 

Point the finger at the Billionaires deciding who gets on stage, not the artist they turned into the story so you'd stop looking at them. Channel that venom at the powers that be. Write to your MP. Post about what's happening in Gaza. Refuse to attend shows in venues that censor what's said on their stages. Refuse to buy the brands funding genocide. And if you don't like Ed, his music or his politics, don't go to the show. But don't let this story be hijacked the way it has been to demonise someone we all know has done more for more causes over the last twenty years than just about anyone else in this game.

Here is a full transcript of what Macklemore said that had him removed from a tour, and kicked out of stadiums. Please tell me where he's wrong.

“I've been trying to figure out a way to say this all day. One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine.

"I said, Free Palestine.

“I want those words to be loud and clear, so the people from Gaza, all the way to the occupied West Bank, know that we have not forgotten them.

“To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace; love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality.

“So I say Free Palestine, I say Free Lebanon, I say Free Cuba, I say Free Congo, Free Sudan, I say Free all people in America living in fear of this terrorist organization, ICE. None of us will be free until we are all free."

 

" I Rise " - you can rise up from anything.

 

 I rise - fearless Soul.

From the ashes of silence
From the weight of the fall
From the edge of breaking
I stand tall

Through the dark I remember
Through the pain I decide
I was never defeated
I rise

Every scar is a lesson
Every wound is a spark
Every step through the shadows
Lit my heart

I feel the fire growing
I feel the strength return
I was made for rising
I burn, I burn

Push me down, I rise again
Break the storm, I won't bend
Through the pressure, I ignite
I was born to win this fight

I rise
Higher than the fear inside me
I rise
Stronger every time I fall
Nothing can hold me
Nothing controls me
I rise, I rise, I rise

Through the weight of the world
Through the test of time
Through the voice of doubt
I still climb

Every breath is power
Every step is flame
I don't wait for destiny
I become the name

Push me down, I rise again
Break the storm, I won't bend
Through the pressure, I ignite
I was born to win this fight

I rise
Higher than the fear inside me
I rise
Stronger every time I fall
Nothing can hold me
Nothing controls me
I rise, I rise, I rise

I stand, I fight, I rise
I stand, I fight, I rise
Through the fire, I transform
Through the storm, I am reborn

I rise (Rise up, rise up)
I rise (Rise up, rise up)
I rise
I stand, I fight, I rise
Nothing will stop me
Nothing denies me
I rise, I rise, I rise

I rise
Higher than the fear inside me
I rise
Stronger every time I fall
Nothing can hold me
Nothing controls me
I rise, I rise, I rise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKR3jINH1uA&list=RDzKR3jINH1uA&start_radio=1

"The wise Old Owl" : In order to Listen You have to be Silent

 

The Wise Old Owl

Long ago, in the heart of a peaceful forest, there lived an old owl who perched high in the branches of a giant oak tree. Every day, the owl quietly watched the animals as they went about their lives.

The rabbits hurried through the grass, the squirrels raced from tree to tree, and the birds filled the air with cheerful songs. The owl rarely spoke. Instead, he listened carefully and observed everything around him.

One morning, two young foxes began arguing over who had found a berry bush first. Their voices grew louder and louder until the whole forest could hear them.

The old owl watched silently.

Soon after, two crows started boasting about who could fly the fastest. They talked over one another so much that neither listened to what the other was saying.

Again, the owl remained quiet.

Later that day, a young rabbit climbed up to the owl's tree and asked, "Wise Owl, why do you never join in the arguments? Don't you have something to say?"

The owl smiled gently.

"I have learned that speaking is easy," he replied. "Listening is much harder. Every day I hear something new because I spend more time listening than talking."

The rabbit thought about the owl's words.

From then on, the rabbit paid closer attention to others instead of interrupting them. He found that he understood his friends better, solved problems more easily, and made wiser decisions.

Before long, many of the forest animals began following the owl's example. They listened more carefully, argued less often, and worked together in greater harmony.

The old owl continued to sit quietly in his tree, watching, listening, and learning every day.

Moral of the Story

The more you listen, the more you learn. Wisdom comes from observing and understanding, not from speaking the most.

"An Appreciation and Remembering the legacy of Dolly Parton"

 

Coat of Many Colours                                                                                                                                    sung in Paidi O'Shea's Pub in Kerry - "it could only happen in Ireland."

Back through the years
I go wonderin' once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors
But every piece was small
And I didn't have a coat
And it was way down in the fall
Momma sewed the rags together
Sewin' every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of

As she sewed, she told a story
From the Bible she had read
About a coat of many colors
Joseph wore and then she said
Perhaps this coat will bring you
Good luck and happiness
And I just couldn't wait to wear it
And momma blessed it with a kiss

My coat of many colors
That my momma made for me
Made only from rags
But I wore it so proudly
Although we had no money
I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

So with patches on my britches
And holes in both my shoes
In my coat of many colors
I hurried off to school
Just to find the others laughing
And making fun of me
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

And oh, I couldn't understand it
For I felt I was rich
And I told 'em of the love
My momma sewed in every stitch
And I told 'em all the story
Momma told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors
Was worth more than all their clothes

But they didn't understand it
And I tried to make them see
That one is only poor
Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money
But I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
Made just for me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3ardckySYY&t=7s

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library launched in Ireland at the same location seven years ago and has gifted more than 420k books to children 

Every book is a treasure and every time you open one up you will meet new friends and take wonderful journeys to magical places.” She also wished her young readers well in their future reading journey — and offered them some words of advice.

“I hope you have a great time in school. I bet your school will even have a library where you can check out books. You and all of your friends are very special. There is no limit to what you can do or how far you can go. Just remember the lessons my family taught me — dream big dreams; learn everything you can learn; and care for all those who care for you. You do all of these things, and you can be anyone you want to be.”

Parton concluded, “You are terrific, and remember… I Will Always Love You.”0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyas8aAueAM&list=RDvyas8aAueAM&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1OU4qKrunE&list=RDy1OU4qKrunE&start_

radio=1