Solidarity With Palestine is Part of Irish Culture

Quick Overview

Solidarity with Palestine is deeply ingrained in Irish culture due to historical parallels, stemming from Irish revolutionary actions against British occupation in the 1920s, such as the actions of Tom Barry's Flying Column and the subsequent British creation of paramilitary units like the Black and Tans, whose tactics of terrorizing the civilian population mirrored later actions in Mandatory Palestine, leading Irish people to recognize their struggle in the Palestinian experience.

Key Points: Irish solidarity with Palestine is described as being part of Irish culture due to deep historical parallels. The speaker's grandfather and two granduncles were involved in the IRA, specifically in Tom Barry's Flying Column, around 1920. The British created paramilitary units called Auxiliaries (or Auxies), who were the officer class, were posh, came from money, and were tasked with terrorizing the civilian population, not keeping the peace. The actions of the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries in Ireland under British occupation served as a precedent for later tactics in Mandatory Palestine. The Kilmichael Ambush, where 17 Auxies were shot, is cited as a huge turning point in Irish history that contributed to the independence of the South of Ireland (the 26 counties) in 1922. The former Auxiliaries, led by Sir Hugh Tudor, reportedly went to Palestine and enacted the exact same tactics of collective punishment and brutalization against the local population. This historical connection creates a lasting awareness and solidarity in Irish culture, viewing Palestine as a 'mirror nation' where those who hurt the Irish are now hurting Palestinians.

Context: The video features a discussion, likely from a podcast or interview setting, focusing on the historical connections between Irish anti-colonial struggles and the situation in Palestine. The speaker, who is wearing a striking red beanie and a plastic bag mask patterned with red, is drawing direct parallels between British actions in Ireland during the 1920s and the contemporary situation in Mandatory Palestine, emphasizing how these shared experiences of oppression foster deep cultural solidarity.