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Why is Ireland the only European country voicing its support for Palestine?

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Ayaan Paul
Ayaan PaulOct 12, 2023 | 18:34

Why is Ireland the only European country voicing its support for Palestine?

Ireland has emerged as an unexpected champion of the Palestinian cause amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. While many European nations are treading a diplomatic tightrope or offering unreserved support to Israel, Ireland has chosen to express its solidarity with Palestine.

Irish stance

The Irish Ministry of External Affairs has been unwavering in articulating a threefold approach to the Gaza situation:

  • Foremost, Ireland calls for a lasting and sustainable ceasefire to break the cycle of violence.
  • Second, it emphasizes the significance of ending the blockade on Gaza, a factor viewed as a root cause of the devastating conflict.
  • Lastly, Ireland advocates for the establishment of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.
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These positions underscore Ireland's commitment to achieving peace, justice, and self-determination for the Palestinian people.

Addressal of concerns

What's intriguing about Ireland's stance is its steadfast commitment. While others are carefully measuring their words, Ireland is belting out a ballad in support of the Palestinians. They're saying that Israel can defend itself, but that doesn't mean they can trample on the rights of others.

The country has also condemned the firing of missiles from Gaza into Israel by Hamas and other militant groups, characterizing its stance by a pursuit of lasting peace that addresses the root causes of the conflict rather than merely addressing its symptoms.

Irish-Palestinian history

The Irish have a long history of sympathizing with the Palestinian struggle, and this relationship transcends religion, ethnicity, and geography. At the heart of this connection lies a shared experience of occupation, oppression, and the fight for freedom. 

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Ireland's support for the Palestinian cause is rooted in its historical consciousness, which has given the issue a prominence that transcends mere geographic, economic, or political considerations. 

  • Initially, in the 1920s and 1930s, Irish sympathies leaned toward the Zionist movement, drawing on perceived parallels between Irish and Jewish suffering, as well as shared experiences of large-scale migration in the 19th century.
  • The Irish also championed the Zionist struggle for self-determination against British colonialism.
“The memory and the consequence of colonization lives in the very marrow of our bones."
- John Brady, Sinn Fein party lawmaker, Ireland

However, Ireland's perception of Israel began to shift as the country underwent its own anti-British rebellion and a traumatic civil war that left Northern Ireland under British control. 

  • As the Zionist movement accepted the partition of Palestine, Ireland began to see unflattering parallels between Israeli policies and its own divided existence. 
  • For many in Ireland, Israel appeared less like a besieged religious-national community fighting for its natural rights and more like a colonial entity established by British force, intent on imposing itself on an indigenous population.
  • This shift in perception was further solidified by Israel's post-1967 policies, particularly its occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. 
  • The illegal occupation of Palestinian land and the imposition of military law on Palestinians reminded many in Ireland of their own history with British oppression. 
  • Israel began to resemble an illegal state established by force with the intent of dominating an indigenous population.
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How Ireland has helped the Palestinian cause

Though the connection with the Palestinian cause goes beyond the historical parallels and includes tangible actions. 

  • In 2021, Ireland's Parliament voted unanimously to condemn Israel's "de facto annexation" of Palestinian land in the occupied territories, making it the first EU member state to take such a stance and demonstrated Ireland's willingness to take a bold and principled stance in support of Palestinian rights.
  • Ireland was also the first EU member to recognize the Palestinian Liberation Organization in 1980. 
  • It has consistently supported the two-state solution and has even hosted and met with Yasser Arafat on several occasions, which sometimes drew the ire of the Israeli government. 
  • Despite Ireland's adherence to the official EU foreign policy position, its leaders from across the political spectrum have been outspoken in criticizing Israel's settlement policies, breaches of human rights, and actions that undermine the peace process. 
  • As the two-state solution has appeared increasingly unattainable, Ireland's criticism of Israel has grown, leading to a sometimes strained diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

Staying steadfast

Despite accusations from Israeli governments that the Irish government supports the Palestine Liberation Organization's aim to "destroy the Jewish state," Dublin has always supported a two-state solution with the full repatriation of Palestinian refugees.

Ireland's resolute and principled support for Palestine in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has set it apart from many other EU member states and Western nations. 

Its unwavering support for Palestine is a testament to its dedication to standing up for what it believes is just and right

Last updated: October 12, 2023 | 18:34
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