We are all Palestinians Now: Peacemakers: Tír Chonaill Thuaidh

 We are all Palestinians Now

The ground invasion of Gaza has begun. The Israeligovernment and its international allies previously claimed that will be a ‘surgicalstrike against Hamas’. From British government Ministers, to politicalpundits, to international allies of the Israeli government, to Israelispokespersons the aim – they say - is to destroy Hamas.

It’s all nonsense of course. The reality is thatIsrael can no more destroy Hamas than Hamas can destroy Israel.

In addition, the claim that in a military groundinvasion of Gaza Israel will be mindful of civilians is also a nonsense. In thepast two decades Israeli attacks on and assaults into Gaza and more recentlyagainst Palestinian people in the west Bank have produced overwhelming evidenceof an Israeli apartheid state that views Palestinians as inferior, withoutrights. They are, according to the Israeli Defence Minister recently, ‘humananimals.’

Over the last few weeks almost 100 Palestinians,including at least 30 children, have been shot dead in the west Bank by Israelisnipers. 1300 Palestinians, including many children have been wounded. As thehorrific casualty list from Gaza mounts each day events on the west Bank arerarely reported.

Even if Israel occupies the rubble of a Gaza Citylevelled by its scorched earth policy, forcibly evicts or kills those Gazansliving in the northern half of that territory, and annexes it as part of a landgrab for the greater Israeli state envisioned by Netanyahu, this will all havethe opposite effect its strategists are predicting. The history of colonialismis littered with examples of oppressed peoples emerging stronger and moredetermined in pursuit of their right to self-determination.

If colonialism and our own experience teaches usanything it is that Israeli actions are more likely to embolden opposition toIsraeli occupation not defeat it. Past Israeli actions, the blockade of Gazafor almost 20 years, the flouting of international law and its apartheidpolicy, have not diminished the Palestinian desire for freedom and justice.

The failure of the international community to standup for international law and to defend Palestinian rights has led us to thiscurrent nightmare.

Moreover, there is now a real danger that theconflict will extend beyond Gaza and the west Bank and embroil the region. Itmay be several decades since Arab states and Israel clashed on the battlefieldbut concern at Israeli aggression is mounting in the neighbouring states. FromLebanon to Jordan to Syria, to Iran and Egypt tensions are rising. Thereare real risks of a calamitous escalation.

It is still not too late to turn back from theabyss. It will need leadership and courage by all sides and a willingness to takehuge personal and political risks for peace. It especially demands that theinternational community defend the Palestinian people of Gaza and of the westBank.

The massive solidarity demonstrations last weekendwith the Palestinian people in Ireland and around the world can help change thenarrative. The increasing numbers of voices demanding a complete cessation byall sides and an end to the humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place inGaza, are evidence too that there remains a deep well of compassion for allvictims.

Declan Kearney, Sinn Féin National Chairperson,addressed the huge march of tens of thousands in London. He said: “Ahumanitarian catastrophe is taking place in Gaza – the likes of which we havenever seen. The world has a choice to make. To stand with the oppressed anddispossessed or Palestine, or not. We stand on the side of humanity, decency,universal democracy and international law. We are all Palestinians now.”

The Irish government is in a unique position todemand cessations and to be a voice within the international community fordialogue, ceasefires and a just settlement. The policy of neutrality andmilitary non-alignment has proven invaluable in allowing Irish governments touse the United Nations and other international bodies to win support in defenceof human rights.

Uachtarán Michael D Higgins’recent assertion that the head of the European Commission Ursulavon der Leyen was "not speaking for Ireland” when shegave unqualified support for Israel was widely welcomed. His insistence thatthe international community “retain and insist on the veracity andcogency of international law” was also supported. His remarksunderline the importance of Irish neutrality. It must not be eroded orundermined.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine there wasanger last year at comments by Micheál Martin that suggested that the FiannaFáil/Fine Gael/Green Party government was moving away from neutrality. Martinsaid: “We need to reflect onmilitary non-alignment in Ireland and our military neutrality.” His claim that: “We don’t need a referendum to join NATO. That’s apolicy decision of government” waschallenged and criticised.

The crisis in the Middle East and the illegal andbrutal assault on the people of Gaza reinforce the imperative of the policy ofneutrality.

By remaining neutral and non-aligned to militaryalliances the Irish government has the opportunity to build on the state’spositive contributions in the United Nations and to its peace keeping role.Ireland is known for our work on peace building and the protection of humanrights and fundamental freedoms. Irish neutrality has served the island ofIreland well and is generally welcomed by the majority of states within theU.N. This is evidenced by the support it received several years ago to join theUN Security Council.

Through diplomacy, humanitarianism, peace-buildingand co-operation we have the ability to make a real difference in internationalmatters; to play an important role in an increasingly dangerous world. Byinvesting in conflict resolution rather than conflict participation the Irishgovernment can make a solid, positive contribution to de-escalating thelanguage of war, sectarianism and racism.

Neutrality is not being isolationist. It is notabout indifference. It’s not about turning our backs on the world. As theInternational Committee of the Red Cross said two days ago neutrality is a wayof helping that allows “us to reach those who need it most.”

That means condemning those who breachinternational law – whether it is Hamas or Israel – and standing up for andwith an impoverished, imprisoned Palestinian people living under the brutalrule of apartheid. Silence in this dark time is complicity in the genocide ofthe people of Gaza.

 

Peacemakers

30 yearsago on Monday an IRA bomb exploded on the Shankill Road killing nine people andIRA Volunteer Thomas Begley. It was a shocking event compounded a week laterwhen eight people were shot dead in Greysteel. These were two of manyatrocities which occurred during a quarter century of conflict in the North.Their impact on families and communities reverberates still today, as do themore than 3,000 other deaths and the thousands of injuries that resulted fromthose desperate years. The families of the dead and the injured have lived withthe consequences ever since. 

Todaywe are in a much better place. Not least because many of those who suffereddirectly from the violence became peacemakers. Citizens willing to step beyondtheir own personal tragedies and provide support and comfort to the bereavedand injured and to become advocates for peace and for justice.  We aremindful of their loss and grateful for their courage and dedication in breakingdown barriers. Alan McBride - who lost his wife Sharon and her father Desmondin the IRA bomb - is one such person. He is an example to the rest of us,including this columnist. 

 

 

Tír Chonaill Thuaidh

Bhuail mé lespéirbhean

Ar bharrportaigh

I measc nasléibhte

I dTírChonaill Thuaidh.

 

Thug sí a lamhdom

Ar bharrportaigh

I measc nasléibhte

I dTírChonaill Thuaidh.

 

Thug mé póg di

Ar bharrportaigh

I measc nasléibhte

I dTírChonaill Thuaidh.

 

Fan anseoliom,

Arsa anspéirbhean

Ar bharrportaigh

I measc nasléibhte

I dTírChonaill Thuaidh.