Government and EU urged to demand that Israel drop travel ban on Omar Barghouti

Omar Barghouti is scheduled to speak at the Robert Tressell Festival in Dublin on May 24 but may not be able to attend due to Israel's de-facto travel ban. File picture: Nasser Nasser/AP

Filmmaker Ken Loach is among those who have signed an open letter calling on the Government and the EU to intervene against Israel’s decision not to allow a renowned Palestinian human rights defender travel to Ireland.

Academics, politicians, and campaigners have condemned a de-facto travel ban being enforced by the Israeli government on Omar Barghouti, who is a Gandhi Peace Award recipient.