Israel and Ireland
The barbaric Hamas attack on Israel and the aggressive Israeli Defence Forces response has generated a tremendous amount of “heat” worldwide. Emotions are high, ancient religious and ethnic tensions have been inflamed and an undeniable volatility has been added to global politics. Perhaps, as the situation evolves, we will begin to experience more “light” than “heat”, but the jury is out. The renewed focus on this never ending conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians has afforded some surprises, even shocks to our knowledge base. Long held assumptions are subject to a fresh review. One genuine surprise for me has been the discovery of Ireland’s rather unique and provocative role in the conflict, both historically and now.
As an Irish-American, Ireland’s politics and diplomacy have always fascinated me and Ireland has generally punched above its weight in EU foreign affairs. The Irish have always been outward looking. Huge outflows of Irish natives to America, England, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The Irish diaspora achieving political and cultural success. A history of Irish Catholic missionaries traversing the globe- including Africa and Asia. A commitment going back several decades of Irish participation in UN Peacekeeping Missions in global hotspots. Generally, a noble internationalism. The Irish perspective on the Israel-Palestine narrative is more complicated.
What do I mean? What prompted this examination was a staccato of videos and statements from Irish politicians as Israel initiated and then increased its broad based military strikes on Gaza? A member of the Irish Parliament explicitly stated that Israel had intentionally embarked on a “genocide” against the Palestinian people. Irish President Michael Higgins opined that Israel’s policy “was to announce in advance they would break international law and do so on an innocent population.” The Irish Prime Minister, Leo Vardakar, generally a prudent and cautious soul, agreed that Israel had a right to defend itself but “ Israel does not have the right to do wrong.” He also stated that Israel’s aerial bombardment of Gaza “amounts to collective punishment” of the Palestinian civilian population. Strong stuff and totally at odds with the attitude of the United States and major EU powers. Why? I conducted some quick historical research and learned some things that all Irish Americans should know-particularly if their Jewish friends ask for a dialogue on the subject. First Ireland has never been on the front line in support of Israeli statehood or a Jewish homeland. Israel was created in 1948 but Ireland did not extend official recognition until 1963. Full diplomatic relations did not commence until 1978. Ireland consistently complained that Irish soldiers were harassed by IDF forces when Ireland played a leading role in the UN Lebanon peacekeeping mission. Ireland criticised the Israeli attack on the Iraqi nuclear reactor facility and condemned the building of a security wall in the West Bank. Ireland’s Foreign Minister has explicitly stated in multiple forums that the Israeli settlement program in the West Bank is illegal and a continuing violation on international law. Ireland characterised Israel’s 2014 military response to Hamas rocket attacks from Gaza as “indiscriminate” and “disproportionate” which are code words for war crimes under international humanitarian law. Both houses of the Irish legislature have passed motions calling for recognition of the State of Palestine. The Dublin City Council endorsed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in 2018. The Irish Dail, in 2019, passed a bill restricting importation of goods from Israel that originated in the West Bank. The head of Sinn Fein has a Palestinian flag on the cover page of his Twitter account.
Israel has noticed the Irish attitude. In 2011, a representative of the Israeli Foreign Ministry cited Ireland as the most hostile country in Europe and accused “the Irish government of feeding its people anti-Israeli hatred based on clear anti-semitism.” The Israeli Ambassador to Ireland says Irish support for the BDS movement “would make Ireland the most extreme anti Israel country in the western world.” Reflect on these statements- clearly no love lost here. Yet, Ireland is the No 1 vacation destination for Israelis in Europe and the commercial relationship is mature and deep.
Ireland isn’t just instinctively skeptical of Israeli actions vis-a vis the Palestinians-it is overtly supportive of Palestine. Ireland provides 10 billion dollars a year to UN agencies and NGO groups operating humanitarian support operations in the West Bank and Gaza. Ireland has appointed an official representative to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and in 1980 was the first European country to call for a two state solution based on the pre 1967 war borders with the capital of Palestine in East Jerusalem.
Ireland’s policy and pro Palestinian rhetoric is not based on a “real politic” analysis. Instead, it is emotional, based on empathy for people who are experiencing occupation, oppression and a denial of nationalistic aspirations. You guessed it- an experience analogous to the Irish view of the English rule over Ireland for hundreds of years. The Irish are projecting from their own history- supporting the marginalised and suspicious of powers they compare to imperialists or colonialists. The sad irony is that the Jews of Israel, with an unparalleled history of oppression, pogroms and ultimately the Holocaust are now cast in this “imperial” cloak by the Irish government. This is not an example of advance political thinking by the Irish political class. The Irish also bring a recent and real world experience with a successful “peace process.” The 1998 Good Friday agreement re Northern Ireland is an example of sworn historical enemies compromising and moving the ball forward. The Irish believe the same options are available here but believe it is Netanyahu and the Israelis who have stonewalled the negotiations.
Alas, it is far more complicated, but we should assume the Irish perspective is frozen in place and they will remain highly critical of the current Israeli offensive in Gaza. The future relationship between Ireland and Israel is also a question mark. SAD!
