Introduction
The protracted conflict between Israel and the tyrannized state of Palestine has donned a genocidal armor, with the Israeli forces slashing its opponents (i.e.70% of whom, are Palestinian women and minors) for the last eight months, with no ceasefire in sight. States around the world, have risen with their support for the Palestinian plight.
Israel, in its savagery, has tried to use every tool (missile attacks, forceful disappearance, assassinations, use of phosphorus gas, etc.) in its defense to silence the Palestinians into submission and win this war.
However, they underestimated the Palestinian wit and the global support for its cause. The liberation war cry is echoed everywhere with multiple sit-downs, protests, and campaigns demanding an end to this brutality. Notable amongst these movements has been the enduring support of two countries, Ireland and South Africa, who see their histories of occupation and oppression being reflected in Palestine’s constant struggle for freedom.
This article paints the crimson tapestry of Palestine’s historic allies, i.e., South Africa and Ireland, to explain their solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Palestinian History at a Glance
A century of Palestinian occupation has been the parting gift of the British, who, followed by the infamous “Balfour Declaration in 1917,” decided to grant the Jewish people a homeland in Palestine. The British mandate was successful, and in 1948, the State of Israel was created.
This marked a mass exodus of Jews to Israel while violently displacing the indigenous Palestinians to neighboring states. As settler-colonialism was on the rise, the Palestinians were in constant agony; losing their homeland while being discriminated against racially, socially, politically, and economically. With such uncertainty looming on the horizon, the Palestinians with their Arab allies retaliated against the Israeli occupation; such can be witnessed through the “Arab Revolt of 1948,” which resulted in the territory being divided into three segments while also displacing 750,000 Palestinians.
Additionally, periodic belligerence was witnessed between Israel and its Arab neighbors in the form of the “Six-Day War” in 1967 and the “Yom Kippur War” in 1973. Finally, peace negotiations in 1979, known as the “Camp David Accords,” calmed the waters and settled the territorial dispute.
This did not last long, as the First and Second Intifadas erupted in 1987. Then again in 2000. Long story short, the consistent Israeli brutality culminated in a freedom struggle against the Zionist political movement, which was the precursor to the October 7th attack by Hamas, resulting in 34,700 Palestinian causalities.
Therefore, the blatant use of force by Israel has garnered attention in the form of solidarity movements that can be showcased in the following case studies.
Ireland: “Saoirse do Phalaistín!” (Freedom for Palestine!)
Ireland, a north-western nation approximately 2000 miles from the Middle East, has showcased the true essence of solidarity as witnessed through the visible signs of Palestinian flags and its keffiyehs being donned proudly by its Irish supporters.
Along with the display of the solidarity mural, 80% of the Irish people agree that a genocide is taking place, and are campaigning to urge the international community into action. Drawing up parallels between both conflicts is paramount to the current discussion.
Historical Overview
Britain’s colonizing spree kicked off in the 12th century with Ireland, which resulted in 800 years of subjugation inflicted by the English. Ireland was used as a specimen for its barbaric experiments—visible in its policies and structures, and later used on other colonies. The continuous onslaught was eliminated when the Irish descended upon their British masters, resulting in the “Anglo-Irish War” from 1919 to 1921, fought between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the British forces. This ended in an Irish victory with an Irish free state but at the expense of Northern Ireland, which was held under British control.
The independence war did not subside the internal strife as the country quickly entered a civil war—the IRA and the provisional Irish government fought over the Anglo-Irish treaty, which was a harness carefully crafted by the British to keep the Irish State under its control, denying them sovereign independence. Even after the culmination of the Republic of Ireland in 1949, the North still grappled with an ethno-nationalistic conflict known as the “Troubles” between the Unionists and the Loyalists, which ended after the “Good Friday Agreement” was signed in 1998.
Ireland and its Enduring Support for Palestine
Political Support
Ireland is one of the most pro-Palestinian nations in the world, therefore, the Irish public opinion has always been well against Israel. Still, the massive expulsion of the Palestinians after the Six-day War cemented its position as a vanguard of the Palestinian cause, which later on manifested in its Middle-Eastern policy.
After joining the European Union (EU) in 1980, it was the first among its member nations to call for the establishment of a Palestinian state while also recognizing the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as a legitimate authority of its people. Irish governments led by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael parties have supported the BDS Movement, i.e., Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, as a means to pressure Israel to end its oppressive campaign against the Palestinians.
Moreover, political support was showcased during the peak of the Second Intifada when former Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen met PLO leader Yasser Arafat and applauded his efforts in leading the freedom struggle and becoming a symbol of self-determination and outstanding persistence.
Adding on, several laws, motions, and bills, such as the “Occupied Territories Bill 2018,” have been passed in the Dáil Éireann (lower house), which aims at economically choking Israel and limiting any trade with companies linked to the settler colonialists. Ireland and its legislative bodies have been standing tall in their support for Palestine.
Subsequently, the current genocidal campaign has also caught the attention of the Irish leadership, as Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar have openly opposed Israel’s actions as violations of International law. Furthermore, the Irish political party, Sinn Fein, with historic ties to the PLO, has called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from Ireland over allegations of its role in the genocide.
Lastly, following the October 7 attacks, the people in Ireland have been vocal about their stance on a peaceful resolution, an immediate ceasefire, and the provision of urgent humanitarian aid to civilians in need.
Civil Society Groups
The Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has been at the forefront of Palestinian nationalism in Ireland, organizing country-wide protests as a means to call off Israel’s indiscriminate bombing and blockade of Gaza.
Irish Support via Music
Irish nationalism for the Palestinian cause has reached new heights, with popular music groups such as the hip-hop trio “Kneecap” and the rock band “The Shan Vans” showing staunch support for Palestine through their music. Shan Van’s signature song, “The Old Women,” portrays a clear image of the Palestinian and Irish hunger strikes during their captivity under their respective colonial masters.
On 28th May 2024, the Republic of Ireland recognized the Palestinian State. Irish PM Simon Harris emphasized that such a move is conditional to any peace process. In this regard, it has been decided that a full embassy of Ireland in Ramallah would also be established.
South Africa’s “Inkululeko kwePalestine!” (Freedom for Palestine!)
The word apartheid, which is used to describe the current Israeli occupation, has its roots in the colonial history of South Africa up until the 1990s when the black South African population finally broke the shackles of slavery from their white masters.
Due to its tragic history, apartheid has been given broader importance in international law as it was declared a crime against humanity by the 1998 “Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”
Therefore, the shared history of oppression has made South Africa a prominent defender of Palestinian rights. Its forefather and anti-apartheid activist, Nelson Mandela, frequently drew parallels between the two situations from time to time.
Historical Overview
Since the beginning, South Africa had been under imperial occupation—the Dutch in 1652, the British settlers, and finally, the National Party, which laid the groundwork for apartheid in 1948. Under their rule, they enshrined a racist social system whereby the black population was relegated to the bottom of society—socially, politically, and economically.
The “Pass laws,” were a noteworthy example—they required black South Africans to carry mandatory identification passes for work, travel, and security checks in their own homeland. In this regard, the process of displacement and domination over the local populace, usually along the lines of race and ethnicity, was witnessed.
The main aim of the settler colonialists was to deny them autonomy and basic rights, thus encouraging unequal development. The end of apartheid in the 1990s resulted in an exemplary show of resistance that had garnered an era of reconciliation and reformation in a once war-ravaged country.
South Africa and its Enduring Support for Palestine
“As a South African, one knows oppression, resistance, and apartheid”
Leila Samira Khan, a South African lawyer and activist
South Africa’s unwavering endorsement has flourished since the beginning, as the African National Congress is deeply affiliated with the Palestinian resistance under the PLO. It has consistently accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity. Nelson Mandela and Yasser Arafat had a cordial relationship, and both understood the gravity of the situation.
The resilient backing of the South Africans to the Palestinians held ground immediately after the system of apartheid crumbled in the 1990s. Diplomatic relations were soon formed with Palestine.
High-ranking religious figures from the South African branch of the Anglican Church have denounced Israeli aggression and have declared it an apartheid state in the wake of the current onslaught.
Adding on, before the October 7 attacks, South Africa denigrated the Israeli embassy as a liaison office. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has also expressed grave concerns regarding the surmounting death toll in Gaza. He reinforced his country’s stance that Israel should halt its atrocities and declare an immediate ceasefire. Diplomatic ties have been effectively suspended, with its parliament voting to close the Israeli embassy in South Africa and moving to withdraw its diplomatic staff.
Lastly, a brave and yet courageous act by the South Africans was their legal proceedings against Israel on December 29, 2023, in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The hearings regarding South Africa’s appeal took place around 11–12 January 2024, which reinstated that Israel is aiming to eliminate Palestinian—racial and ethnic groups through its genocidal campaign. It proudly invoked the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide1948” against Israel, stating that the military operations in Gaza and the locality should be ceased and Israel should be apprehended for its actions. The judgment did not comply with the original demands but underpinned Israel’s obligations under the Genocide Convention.
Critical Analysis
Israel, in its apparent bloodlust and unwavering support from its Zionist allies around the world, has not left any stone unturned. The Israeli settler colonialists unabatedly continue to showcase their ethnic cleansing campaign in Gaza by targeting innocent civilians, hospitals, schools, residential buildings, refugee camps, and aid agencies.
Moreover, the merciless slaughter is not enough for the Israelis. They have also acquired an inhuman means of increasing Palestinian suffering by eliminating food supplies, medical equipment, and other necessities required for individuals in a war-ravaged zone.
The Palestinian reality today hinges upon many other liberation movements in the past. In this, one thing is to be understood—the rise and fall of imperial dynasties has always wrought havoc upon the colonized nations. The British divide-and-rule policy has culminated in weak and fragmented states, continuously grappling for stability but getting none.
Conclusion
Assessing the conflict in real-time and comparing it with existing struggles for justice and peace has been the ultimate catalyst for worldwide solidarity movements, which can be seen in the cooperation granted by the Irish and South Africans. They share similar goals, motivations, and a mutual oppressor, i.e., Britain, whose unjust imperial practices not only inflicted pain upon South Africa, in the form of its apartheid practices but also on the native Irish, who were thrust into a bloody sectarian conflict rooted in English-Protestant settler colonialism.
In support of the Palestinians, they see an uncanny resemblance to their struggles against the British occupation, which transcends race, religion, and geography.
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