Fouéré rejects honorary doctorate, echoing Ireland’s radical anti-Israel drift as tensions reach historic highs.
Irish actress Olwen Fouéré, long celebrated for her theatre and film work, ignited a political storm after refusing an honorary doctorate from the University of Galway, citing the institution’s research partnership with Israel’s world-renowned Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, the birthplace of vital defense, medical, and cyber breakthroughs that protect millions of Israelis from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran-backed terror networks.
Fouéré, 71, claimed the existing Technion contract was “extremely problematic,” openly siding with extremist “pro-Palestinian” campus activists who have pushed the university to cut ties with Israeli companies. She praised the university’s Irish Centre for Human Rights, which she said condemned the “genocide” in Gaza—language mirroring anti-Israel propaganda pushed by Hamas, Qatar, and radical European fringe groups.
Although University of Galway’s leadership previously said they would halt new agreements with Israeli bodies, the university remains a coordinating partner in a €3.9 million EU-funded hydrogen research project with Technion. Fouéré cited Technion’s military relevance—training elite Israeli officers and developing defensive systems such as anti-drone and armored technologies—as grounds for boycotting the honor.
She initially intended to accept the honorary degree and use her speech to publicly pressure the university; however, she later concluded that staging a boycott would send a louder political message.
“The stronger action is refusing the degree,” she declared, adding she would accept it only if the university severs all remaining ties with Technion.
A university spokeswoman responded diplomatically, saying Galway “remains committed to exploring ways forward” with the partnership.
Ireland’s accelerating anti-Israel freefall
Fouéré’s boycott comes as Ireland increasingly aligns itself with hardline anti-Israel stances:
- In April 2024, newly elected PM Simon Harris failed to mention the Israeli hostages held by Hamas during his first speech, drawing a sharp rebuke from Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
- Harris later accused Israel of a “pattern of flouting international law,” while ignoring Hezbollah’s nonstop rocket fire and Iran’s direct attacks on Israeli civilians.
- In May 2024, Ireland joined Spain, Norway, and Slovenia in recognizing a so-called “Palestinian state” despite Hamas governing Gaza and openly vowing Israel’s destruction.
- In December 2024, Israel shuttered its embassy in Dublin, citing Ireland’s escalating hostility and its refusal to condemn Palestinian terrorism.
- In November 2025, Ireland elected far-left President Catherine Connolly, who has gone so far as to brand Israel a “terrorist state,” echoing the rhetoric of Hamas and Iran.
Fouéré’s refusal thus fits into Ireland’s broader pattern of politicized hostility toward Israel, driven by far-left voices, anti-Israel activism, and aggressive Palestinian lobbying.
Rather than celebrating a partnership with one of the world’s most innovative scientific institutions, the actress has chosen to elevate anti-Israel messaging over academic collaboration, humanitarian innovation, and moral clarity.
