Huge backlash over Tipperary Peace Award nominations prompts U-turn from committee
Strong opposition to nomination
In view of the public feeling about the nomination of US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, for the Tipperary International Peace Award, the Committee of Tipperary Peace Convention has decided to remove his name from consideration for the Award.
Mr Blinken's nomination will therefore not be considered by the Committee and the persons who nominated him will be informed.
Secretary Blinken was recently announced as one of 13 nominees for the Tipperary International Peace Award, a list of nominees which includes former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Palestinian doctor, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya and the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani.
In the last few days, a group named "Cashel for Palestine" had set up an online petition calling for the nomination of Blinken to be revoked.
By Friday last the group had collected over 3,000 signatures.
In their online petition, the group said that Secretary Blinken's actions, "particularly his role in facilitating the supply of weapons to Israel, have directly contributed to mass civilian casualties, the destruction of vital infrastructure in Gaza, and ongoing violence. These actions, under his leadership, are widely regarded as facilitating genocide and war crimes. Blinken’s policies are in direct contradiction to the core values of peace, justice, and humanitarianism that the Tipperary Peace Prize seeks to uphold".
On Friday evening, a statement was issued by Tipperary Peace Convention.
"In view of the public feeling about the nomination of US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, for the Tipperary International Peace Award, the Committee of Tipperary Peace Convention has decided to remove his name from consideration for the Award.
"Mr Blinken's nomination will therefore not be considered by the Committee and the persons who nominated him will be informed."
The Convention also reacted further to the online petition regarding transparency around the award.
"The Committee rejects any assertion around the transparency of the nomination process and are quite offended by the assertion.
"There is a public call for nominations each year with a closing date, promoted through newspapers, radio and social media, and the nominees are subsequently published on the same forum. There is clear evidence of this online.
"The process is very similar to that operated by the Nobel Peace Prize Committee for example, with a shortlist and adviser review," said a spokesperson for Tipperary Peace Convention.