An Irish-Palestinian singer has said she feels connected to both parts of her identity and embraces it in her work. 

Róisín El Cherif will be performing at the upcoming Night and Day Festival in Roscommon at the end of June. 

The artist has previously performed at the Gaza Gig in the 3Arena last November, along with other fundraisers for Palestine. 

Ms El Cherif, whose father was born in a refugee camp in Gaza, said there is a reason she and others in the diaspora cannot return to Palestine. 

“I am the inheritance of an injustice that has been ongoing to the Palestinian people since the State of Israel was created,” she told The Anton Savage Show. 

“I have a parent who is very, very Palestinian and my parents were my first teachers, first friends. 

“I personally wouldn't consider myself detached from Palestine or the Palestinian struggle, or the land because it's not like I'm not third or fourth generation.” 

Ms El Cherif began singing roughly 10 years ago, trying to combine Irish and Arabic sounds. 

“I've always wanted to sing in Arabic and bring my two cultures together,” she said. 

“In terms of music, Arabic music is kind of similar to Irish traditional music... very melancholy notes... all the sad depressing stuff. 

“Arabic music is a bit like, ‘There’s no hope’ and it goes on for eight minutes.” 

Irish-Palestinian relations

Ms El Cherif said she was “very happy” with the recent recognition of the Palestinian State. 

“Anything that kind of finally tries to legitimise the Palestinian people in a world where they have been stigmatised for literally just being their nationality is a win,” she said. 

“But it’s not a huge win... looking forward to seeing this actually translate into real freedom.” 

Night and Day Festival will take place at Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, Co Roscommon, from June 28th to June 30th.  

It will include a special broadcast from Anton himself, along with other artists and broadcasters. 

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