# Solidarity With Palestine is Part of Irish Culture Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8gtl1q77jw Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/e8gtl1q77jw Generated: 2025-12-23T08:33:01.088+00:00 --- ## 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. ![Screenshot at 0:00: The speaker, wearing a red beanie and a plastic bag face covering with red markings, introduces the central theme that solidarity with Palestine is part of Irish culture.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/e8gtl1q77jw/00-00-00.jpg) **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. ## Detailed Analysis The speaker asserts that Irish solidarity with Palestine is intrinsically linked to Irish culture due to historical parallels rooted in the Irish War of Independence era (1920s). The speaker reveals a personal connection, stating their grandfather and two granduncles were part of the IRA, specifically in Tom Barry's Flying Column, around 1920. This period saw the British establish paramilitary units called Auxiliaries (or Auxies), described as being composed of wealthy, posh officers whose purpose was to terrorize the civilian population rather than maintain peace. The speaker highlights the Kilmichael Ambush, where 17 Auxies were killed, as a major turning point leading to the independence of the 26 counties of Southern Ireland in 1922. Critically, the speaker claims that the leader of these Auxiliaries, Sir Hugh Tudor, and the Auxies themselves, subsequently went to Mandatory Palestine and implemented the same tactics—collective punishment and brutalization—against the local population. This historical mirroring—where the oppressors of the Irish later oppressed Palestinians—has embedded the Palestinian cause within Irish cultural awareness, making the two struggles appear as mirrors of each other. ### Irish Revolutionary Context (1920s) - IRA involvement in Tom Barry's Flying Column - British created paramilitary units called Auxiliaries (Auxies) - Auxiliaries were posh officers tasked to terrorize civilians, not keep peace - Kilmichael Ambush (17 Auxies shot) was a turning point for Irish independence in 1922. ### Parallelism with Palestine - The Auxiliaries, led by Sir Hugh Tudor, reportedly replicated their tactics in Mandatory Palestine after Irish independence - They enacted collective punishment and brutalization against the local population. ### Cultural Legacy - This shared history of oppression results in a deep solidarity that becomes part of Irish culture - Contemporary artists like Kneecap express Palestinian solidarity in their art, reflecting this historical awareness. ![Screenshot at 0:16: The speaker details his family's connection to the IRA, mentioning his grandad was in the IRA around 1920.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/e8gtl1q77jw/00-00-16.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:35: The speaker identifies Winston Churchill as the person who created the paramilitary Auxiliaries units, which were essentially police used for terror.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/e8gtl1q77jw/00-00-35.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:47: The female co-host interjects, confirming the identity of the infamous figure: Cara Delevingne's granddad founded the Black and Tans.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/e8gtl1q77jw/00-00-47.jpg) ![Screenshot at 1:26: The speaker emphasizes the significance of the Kilmichael Ambush as a 'huge turning point' in Irish history, leading to independence.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/e8gtl1q77jw/00-01-26.jpg) ![Screenshot at 1:58: The speaker connects the dots, stating Britain had Mandatory Palestine and the Zionist project was being set up for Jewish people from Europe.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/e8gtl1q77jw/00-01-58.jpg)