It time to recognise the State of Palestine: Seán Mackel and the County Antrim Memorial. : Rights in a New Ireland

 It time to recognise the State of Palestine 

In 2014 Sinn Féin brought forward a Dáil motioncalling on the government to “officially recognise the State of Palestine, onthe basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital …”

I was part of this initiative.It got support from other TDs from other parties and none. It was notopposed by the Government at that time. Following atwo day debate the motion was passed.This meant that ten years ago both Houses of the Oireachtas supported the rightof the Palestinian people to self-determination - to a Palestinian state. Thiswas a positive development. TheGovernment should have acted on this imperative. It refused to do so. I raisedthis refusal regularly with successive Taoisigh. 

Every Taoiseach sincethen refused to deliver on the will and direction of  theOireachtas. They would not  act on this imperative. Instead they argued thatrecognition  of a Palestinian state remained contingent on adeal with Israel to a two state solution. In reality Enda Kenny, Micheál Martin, Leo Varadkar gave the state of Israela veto over the right of the Palestinian people to a Palestinian state.

Today, according to Simon Harris and Micheál Martin, formaldiplomatic recognition of Palestinian statehood is now dependent on thecompletion of international discussions involving the Irish government. Is thisa real commitment to recognition in the short term?  Or is the Irish government’s recognition of the state ofPalestine now conditional on the outcome ofinternational discussions about which few details have been given? 

The motion passedby  by the Dáil ten years ago  was detailed and definitive.It followed an initiative by over 900 prominent Israelicitizens, including Nobel laureates, writers, academics, business people, andbroadcasters. They wrote  toParliamentarians across Europe, including the Dáil, seeking support for aPalestinian state. The letter was evidence of a deep desire and hope bysome Israelis to adopt an approach which they believe is in the interests ofPalestinians but crucially is also in the interests of Israel. 

Days earlier I had been in Palestine and Israelwhere among those I spoke to was – Yehuda Shaul –a former Sergeant andCommander in the Israeli Army. He is a founder and co-director of ‘Breaking theSilence’ an organisation made up of former Israeli soldiers who speak outagainst the actions of the IDF. A role he continues with today. In 2014 inwords prescient of the current genocide and of the approach of theinternational community Shaul told me; “The International community isfailing Israelis and Palestinians. There is a lot of talk but no action.Nowhere in history,’ he said, ‘did people wake up one morningand give up their privileges... the international community has to raise theprice for Israel of the current status quo… No one will live in dignity orfreedom here. Neither the Palestinians or Israelis until there is a sovereignPalestinian state. This is the right patriotic position.”

The formal diplomatic recognition of thePalestinian State cannot forever be conditional on what others may or may notdo. Either the people of Palestine have national democratic rights or theydon’t. If they have the right to self-determination – and I believe theydo and more importantly the Dáilhas decided this – then there should be no more delays. Ten years is too long. 

Tánaiste Micheál Martin several weeks agoacknowledged that many in the international community now accept thatrecognition of a Palestinian state cannot be contingent on a two state peacedeal. He and An Taoiseach now needto act on the logic of that position.   TheIrish government should formally recognise Palestine as the rightful state of thePalestinian people. Perhapsif this had happened as it should have ten years ago the people of the MiddleEast might have been spared the awfulness of what has occurred sincethen.  

Perhaps if they act now theprospect of wider conflict in the Middle East might be avoided. Or at least analternative leading to a meaningful peace process can be started. 

 

Seán Mackel and the County Antrim Memorial. 

Following my tribute last week to Seán Mackel DrTom Hartley has written to me about Seán’s role in designing the County AntrimMemorial in Milltown Cemetery. This memorial  is under the care ofthe National Graves Association, Belfast. There are thirty four IRA Volunteersburied in this plot. It was originally called the Tom Williams plot, becausemoney raised by the Tom Williams Gaelic Athletic and Camogie club bought theplot. The club was founded by republican prisoners in A Wing, Crumlin Road Jailwho wanted to reserve a grave in this plot for the remains of TomWilliams, a young republican hanged in Crumlin Road Jail in 1942. 

The plot has two distinct sections. The mainsection has a cruciform monument.  The smaller section to the immediateleft of the main section contains four graves with a grey stone slab on eachgrave. The original monument in the main section was designed by Sean Mackeland was made from Irish limestone. The bronze figures on the monument were bythe Dublin Sculptor Richard Edna King. On the reverse of the monument was arepresentation of Roisin Dubh calling on the republicans of Antrim to strikefor their freedom. 

The front of the stone carries a male figuresymbolising breaking the bars of imprisonment and rising to freedom. One faceof the stone carried the names of Antrim’s patriot dead in the years 1798 to1803. Another face has names from 1867 to 1953. The front faces of the stonecarries names beginning in 1922 continuing through to 1971. The list on otherfaces carries through to 1990. 

For many years a small stone on the right of themonument carried an inscription in memory of those Irish republicans who foughtagainst fascism during the Spanish Civil War. A black polished marble slab infront of the monument has eighteen names of republican volunteers buried inthis plot. The original monument was unveiled on Sunday, 11 September 1966. Anew stone was dedicated on Easter Sunday 2012. The plot is contained within agrey stone surround with railings.

Thank you Tom. Another slice of our history and afurther insight into Seán Mackel’s role.  Many thanks also to BelfastNational Graves for their outstanding work. They and others throughout Irelandand the world take care of the graves of our patriot dead. Míle buiochasdaoibhse go leir. 

 

Rights in a New Ireland

The issue of rights is at the heart of theconversation on a new Ireland. Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Irelandwhich has been holding successful Peoples Assemblies across the island over thelast 18 months, will host ‘Rights in a New Ireland’ on Friday 3rdMay,in St Comgall’s – Ionad Eileen Howell, Divis Street, between 11.00am –1.00pm

If you are interested in human rights and want tohave your say on the future shape of a new Ireland join us in St Comgall’s– Ionad Eileen Howell on 3 May.