Irish Festival Bars Current and Former IDF Members After Online Campaign

Rewild Festival in County Kerry barred current and former IDF members after an online campaign targeted a former Israeli soldier who had bought a ticket. Organizers said the guest would not attend and described the IDF as the “Israeli Occupation Forces” while declaring solidarity with Palestinians. Ireland’s Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder said the terminology ignored Israel’s need for compulsory service amid threats from jihadist terrorist organizations. Jewish groups said the policy amounted to discrimination against Israelis because military service is mandatory for most Jewish citizens.