Why Is The Republic Of Ireland So Unlike Its Genocidal Neighbours?

And why its unique history reflects its position on Palestine.

The Republic of Ireland understands English nationalism and colonialism better than most.

There aren’t too many white colonies in Western Europe which have been at the receiving end of brutal genocidal colonization.

Belgium and the Netherlands were one country several centuries ago but the business of breaking these lowland territories was largely bloodless.

And when we delve deep into the history of the Scandinavian states, we find that the Danes and Swedes fought each other to standstill for well over three centuries, and yet there’s a kinship between Denmark and Sweden.

The Scots and Welsh did put up a fight against the English, but once money was thrown in their direction, they duly folded and decided to be a part of the colonial subject, with Scotland playing a leading role in the slave trade and the numerous campaigns that the British government undertook across the globe.

But Ireland is different.

When we write about British colonialism in far flung parts of the globe and the very many atrocities which were committed in India, Jamaica, Nigeria, Grenada, Guyana, New Zealand, Australia, South America, Canada and the United States of America, it is incumbent upon us to know that these tactics were perfected in Ireland.

The violent subjugation of the Irish, whether through mass starvation, sustained military campaign and the enforced use of the English language, lives with us till this very day.

The consequences of the Irish famine, which led to a million deaths and two million migrating to the new world, its profound effect on the people of Southern Ireland is responsible for the philosophic outlook of the Irish.

Whether through its large community in the United States of America or through its sustained activism and pro-Palestinian outlook, the Irish have never forgotten what it means to have suffered at the hands of the English.

And the events in Gaza in the last fortnight, have served up a poignant reminder to the people of Ireland.

We have seen acts of terrorism committed by the Israeli government and we have also seen western support for the genocide of innocent Palestinian babies.

Unlike the morally bankrupt British political class who have been falling over themselves to be seen on the side of the genocidal Israeli government, Irish politicians have been persistently calling out Benjamin Netanyahu in the European parliament.

Our knowledge of history makes it easy to understand that what you saw in the footage above from the Irish politician wasn’t performative but the visceral feeling of someone who clearly understands what’s going on in the world, right now.

The Republic of South Africa has also been an interesting case in point with President Cyril Ramaphosa coming out to speak in support of Palestine and with good reason too.

It is no secret that during apartheid, Israel did very good business with the racist government and the leaders of the ANC never forgot that.

And this was made possible by the United States and the United Kingdom, when they chose not to impose sanctions on the white minority government which had no legitimacy.

In the case of both South Africa and the Republic of Ireland, it took an armed campaign to liberate millions of people from the yoke of genocidal colonialism.

I think that we can all agree that Palestine’s freedom is the defining issue of our time and anyone who is on the side of the US and UK is definitely on the wrong side of history.

Let’s all watch it unfold.

Thanks very much for reading.