Statement by Alan Shatter, Chair of Magen David Adom Ireland* “ The cancellation by the National Concert Hall of MDA Ireland’s scheduled private fund raising event can be properly described as an act of antisemitic censorship “ says Shatter “ The National Concert Hall  disgracefully & indefensibly cancelling  a Magen David Adom Ireland private fund raising event scheduled for May 11 at which the experiences of survivors of the Hamas massacre and of responders on October 7, over two years ago were to be narrated in their own words in a staged reading is truly disgraceful and shocking.   Engagement on the event commenced in November last, the date for the event was finalised in early February and since then the NCH have cancelled it, reinstated it and cancelled it again, each cancellation having a spurious basis.  In the end it seems that the NCH regards  it as wrong that the stories of the survivors and responders of October 7, 2023 be told in their own words . The events cancellation by the NCH can be properly described as an act of antisemitic censorship. What behind the scene lobbying or pressure, if any, impacted the decision is unknown.  There is an escalating global perception of Ireland as one of the most antisemitic countries in Europe. After years of denial the Taoiseach in January acknowledged the existence of a problem that uniquely impacts our Jewish community. Unfortunately , the decision of the NCH will add to that perception. I am deeply saddened that we have arrived at the position in Ireland where it is acceptable that our publicly funded National Concert Hall and its board stop the factual, undecorated narration on one of its stages of the worst Jewish tragedy since the Holocaust that also  impacted others, a tragedy involving murders, rapes and abductions and heroism of responders and rescuers. 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. I am calling on the Board of the NCH to reinstate our event and for the resignation of those who saw fit to cancel it. The lack of insight and understanding is truly shocking.” Alan Shatter Chair MDA Ireland 12 April 2026 * Magen David Adom Ireland is an Irish registered charity that raises funds for Magen David Adom in Israel which is Israel’s national independent emergency medical response and ambulance service. It serves and has employees,  paramedics and ambulance drivers from every community across Israel. It is also a member of the international Red Cross/Red Crescent movement