Irish actress rejects honorary doctorate over university's ‘Israeli’ ties

• Irish actress Olwen Fouéré turned down an honorary doctorate from the University of Galway to protest the institution's ongoing research partnership with ‘Israel's’ Technion Institute of Technology.
• Fouéré cited Technion's role in developing ‘Israeli’ military technology and said she would only accept the degree if the university severed its ties with the institute.

Irish actress Olwen Fouéré has turned down an honorary doctorate from the University of Galway, citing the institution's ongoing research partnership with ‘Israel's’ Technion Institute of Technology.

The decision, reported by the Connacht Tribune, comes amid growing criticism of the university's links to ‘Israeli’ entities during the assault on Gaza.

Fouéré, 71, known for her roles in "The Crown," "Derry Girls," and "Fantastic Beasts," was set to receive a Doctor of Arts at the university's conferring ceremony.

In a detailed statement, Fouéré expressed initial joy at the honor but said she felt compelled to refuse after deep reflection.

She described the partnership as "extremely problematic," noting Technion's role in developing military technologies like tanks, drones, the D9 bulldozer used in Palestinian territories, and the Scream acoustic system (protester dispersal weapon).

Fouéré criticized the university for responding to demands from staff, students, and the community to sever ties with "avoidance, delay, and legal obfuscation."

She added that she would accept the degree if the university cuts all links with Technion and complies with Irish and international law.

The controversy centers on the ASTERISK project, a €3.9 million EU-funded initiative coordinated by the University of Galway to extract hydrogen from seawater.

Signed in December 2024 amid the Gaza assault, the collaboration includes Technion, which partners with ‘Israel's’ arms industry, including Elbit Systems, and offers students credits for military service.

Human rights advocates have condemned these ties, saying they contribute to ‘Israel's’ military.

Fouéré is not alone in her protest. Filmmaker Margo Harkin and Professor Kerby Miller, an expert on Irish emigration, also declined their honorary doctorates for the same reasons.

The conferring ceremony proceeded on Thursday, with six recipients honored in fields like arts, literature, music, and law, including painter Brian Bourke and entrepreneur Pádraig Ó Céidigh.

However, protesters formed a "guard of dishonour" outside, confronting new university president Professor David Burn over the ‘Israeli’ links.

Demonstrators demanded an end to the Technion partnership.

University officials have stated they are contractually obligated to continue the ASTERISK project and cannot withdraw without breaching agreements.

In September 2025, interim president Peter McHugh announced no new institutional research with direct ‘Israeli’ partners, but existing commitments persist.