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We are all Palestinians Now
The ground invasion of Gaza has begun. The Israeli
government and its international allies previously claimed that will be a ‘surgical
strike against Hamas’. From British government Ministers, to political
pundits, to international allies of the Israeli government, to Israeli
spokespersons the aim – they say - is to destroy Hamas.
It’s all nonsense of course. The reality is that
Israel can no more destroy Hamas than Hamas can destroy Israel.
In addition, the claim that in a military ground
invasion of Gaza Israel will be mindful of civilians is also a nonsense. In the
past two decades Israeli attacks on and assaults into Gaza and more recently
against Palestinian people in the west Bank have produced overwhelming evidence
of an Israeli apartheid state that views Palestinians as inferior, without
rights. They are, according to the Israeli Defence Minister recently, ‘human
animals.’
Over the last few weeks almost 100 Palestinians,
including at least 30 children, have been shot dead in the west Bank by Israeli
snipers. 1300 Palestinians, including many children have been wounded. As the
horrific casualty list from Gaza mounts each day events on the west Bank are
rarely reported.
Even if Israel occupies the rubble of a Gaza City
levelled by its scorched earth policy, forcibly evicts or kills those Gazans
living in the northern half of that territory, and annexes it as part of a land
grab for the greater Israeli state envisioned by Netanyahu, this will all have
the opposite effect its strategists are predicting. The history of colonialism
is littered with examples of oppressed peoples emerging stronger and more
determined in pursuit of their right to self-determination.
If colonialism and our own experience teaches us
anything it is that Israeli actions are more likely to embolden opposition to
Israeli occupation not defeat it. Past Israeli actions, the blockade of Gaza
for almost 20 years, the flouting of international law and its apartheid
policy, have not diminished the Palestinian desire for freedom and justice.
The failure of the international community to stand
up for international law and to defend Palestinian rights has led us to this
current nightmare.
Moreover, there is now a real danger that the
conflict will extend beyond Gaza and the west Bank and embroil the region. It
may be several decades since Arab states and Israel clashed on the battlefield
but concern at Israeli aggression is mounting in the neighbouring states. From
Lebanon to Jordan to Syria, to Iran and Egypt tensions are rising. There
are real risks of a calamitous escalation.
It is still not too late to turn back from the
abyss. It will need leadership and courage by all sides and a willingness to take
huge personal and political risks for peace. It especially demands that the
international community defend the Palestinian people of Gaza and of the west
Bank.
The massive solidarity demonstrations last weekend
with the Palestinian people in Ireland and around the world can help change the
narrative. The increasing numbers of voices demanding a complete cessation by
all sides and an end to the humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place in
Gaza, are evidence too that there remains a deep well of compassion for all
victims.
Declan Kearney, Sinn Féin National Chairperson,
addressed the huge march of tens of thousands in London. He said: “A
humanitarian catastrophe is taking place in Gaza – the likes of which we have
never seen. The world has a choice to make. To stand with the oppressed and
dispossessed 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 to
demand cessations and to be a voice within the international community for
dialogue, ceasefires and a just settlement. The policy of neutrality and
military non-alignment has proven invaluable in allowing Irish governments to
use the United Nations and other international bodies to win support in defence
of human rights.
Uachtarán Michael D Higgins’
recent assertion that the head of the European Commission Ursula
von der Leyen was "not speaking for Ireland” when she
gave unqualified support for Israel was widely welcomed. His insistence that
the international community “retain and insist on the veracity and
cogency of international law” was also supported. His remarks
underline the importance of Irish neutrality. It must not be eroded or
undermined.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine there was
anger last year at comments by Micheál Martin that suggested that the Fianna
Fáil/Fine Gael/Green Party government was moving away from neutrality. Martin
said: “We need to reflect on
military non-alignment in Ireland and our military neutrality.” His claim that: “We don’t need a referendum to join NATO. That’s a
policy decision of government” was
challenged and criticised.
The crisis in the Middle East and the illegal and
brutal assault on the people of Gaza reinforce the imperative of the policy of
neutrality.
By remaining neutral and non-aligned to military
alliances the Irish government has the opportunity to build on the state’s
positive contributions in the United Nations and to its peace keeping role.
Ireland is known for our work on peace building and the protection of human
rights and fundamental freedoms. Irish neutrality has served the island of
Ireland well and is generally welcomed by the majority of states within the
U.N. This is evidenced by the support it received several years ago to join the
UN Security Council.
Through diplomacy, humanitarianism, peace-building
and co-operation we have the ability to make a real difference in international
matters; to play an important role in an increasingly dangerous world. By
investing in conflict resolution rather than conflict participation the Irish
government can make a solid, positive contribution to de-escalating the
language of war, sectarianism and racism.
Neutrality is not being isolationist. It is not
about indifference. It’s not about turning our backs on the world. As the
International Committee of the Red Cross said two days ago neutrality is a way
of helping that allows “us to reach those who need it most.”
That means condemning those who breach
international law – whether it is Hamas or Israel – and standing up for and
with an impoverished, imprisoned Palestinian people living under the brutal
rule of apartheid. Silence in this dark time is complicity in the genocide of
the people of Gaza.
Peacemakers
30 years
ago on Monday an IRA bomb exploded on the Shankill Road killing nine people and
IRA Volunteer Thomas Begley. It was a shocking event compounded a week later
when eight people were shot dead in Greysteel. These were two of many
atrocities which occurred during a quarter century of conflict in the North.
Their impact on families and communities reverberates still today, as do the
more than 3,000 other deaths and the thousands of injuries that resulted from
those desperate years. The families of the dead and the injured have lived with
the consequences ever since.
Today
we are in a much better place. Not least because many of those who suffered
directly from the violence became peacemakers. Citizens willing to step beyond
their own personal tragedies and provide support and comfort to the bereaved
and injured and to become advocates for peace and for justice. We are
mindful of their loss and grateful for their courage and dedication in breaking
down barriers. Alan McBride - who lost his wife Sharon and her father Desmond
in the IRA bomb - is one such person. He is an example to the rest of us,
including this columnist.
Tír Chonaill Thuaidh
Bhuail mé le
spéirbhean
Ar bharr
portaigh
I measc na
sléibhte
I dTír
Chonaill Thuaidh.
Thug sí a lamh
dom
Ar bharr
portaigh
I measc na
sléibhte
I dTír
Chonaill Thuaidh.
Thug mé póg di
Ar bharr
portaigh
I measc na
sléibhte
I dTír
Chonaill Thuaidh.
Fan anseo
liom,
Arsa an
spéirbhean
Ar bharr
portaigh
I measc na
sléibhte
I dTír
Chonaill Thuaidh.
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