Ireland has long had a unique relationship with Palestine which stands out in comparison with other European countries. This special relationship is based primarily on Ireland's own history, imprintad of British colonialism and oppression. In an interview, Jessica says Cullinan and Sophia Boland how this has led many Irish people to identify and sympathize with people fighting for their independence – not least with Palestinians.
On International Women's Day, March 8, hundreds of people gathered outside Dublin City Hall to demonstrate for a free Palestine. Banners and placards with messages such as "Feminists stand with Palestine", “Stop the genocide” and “No to Zionism, Imperialism, Genocide” was visible in the crowd. Among the protesters were Jessica Cullinan and Sophia Boland, two Irish 19-year-olds, active in the solidarity movement.
"We Irish people are very empathetic when it comes to people living under occupation and oppression. We are because of our own history, we know what it feels like. I would definitely say that a lot of our support for Palestine is based on how we ourselves were treated by the British," says Jessica.
On this day, when people around the world pay attention to women's struggles and rights, several Irish people therefore saw the opportunity to both show their support for women's rights and an independent Palestine.
A political and popular commitment
Back in the 1980s, Ireland became the first EU country to publicly express support for an independent Palestinian state, and since then its commitment has been strong both politically and civilly. Over the years, the Irish government has on several occasions criticized Israel's policies and advocated stronger sanctions, although this has often been met with resistance from other EU countries.
Ireland has also been a driving force behind the prosecution of Israel at International Criminal Court (ICC), where the country has supported measures to hold Israel's actions under scrutiny. This has been done in relation to allegations of war crimes and human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The popular commitment is palpable. Demonstrations in support of Palestine are a recurring sight on the streets of Dublin, Galway and other cities. But the Irish also show support in cultural life, Jessica and Sophia point out.
– The support is very visible in the media and through music. till example of Electric Picnic last year, where artists raised the Palestine issue in front of tens of thousands of people, says Jessica.
Sophia Boland continues:
- But it should also be taught more in schools, since not everyone has social media.
Ireland has also contributed significant financial support to Palestine through various aid initiatives such as: UNRWAUNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) is a UN organization founded in 1949 with the mission of providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
As one of the largest contributors to UNRWA, Ireland has played a vital role in providing support such as healthcare and emergency aid and education for Palestinians. UNRWA currently continues to provide support to Palestine but faces major challenges as Israel has banned its operations in certain areas and several countries, including the US and Sweden, have frozen or terminated their financial support.
Last year, Ireland took another historic step by not only supporting, but officially recognising Palestine as an independent state. Israel responded by closing its embassy in Dublin in December of the same year.
Many Irish people still believe that the government can do more. A widespread demand from Irish civil society is that the government should adopt the so-called Occupied Territories Bill. The law would ban the import and export of goods from illegal Israeli settlements. Despite a broad popular support it has not yet been adopted.
- They really should get the law passed as soon as possible. The fact that we are still trading with Israel and giving them money is unacceptable. While it may not make a huge difference globally, it would at least mean that we can say we are doing everything we can., notes Jessica.
Ireland's support for Palestine over the years
1975 – Ireland recognizes the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
1980 – Ireland becomes the first EU country to officially support the principle of an independent Palestinian state.
1993 – Ireland is one of the first EU countries to support the Oslo Accords, but at the same time expresses continued support for a two-state solution that would include a sovereign Palestinian state.
2004 – Following the assassination of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Ireland is strengthening its support for a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which included the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state.
2014 – The Irish parliament (Dáil Éireann) votes to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state - a symbolic act to show political support.
2021 – Ireland becomes first EU country to call Israeli settlements in the West Bank a "de facto annexation", and criticizes Israel's expansion of settlements.
2024 – Ireland recognizes Palestine as an independent state; Israel closes its embassy in Dublin in reaction to the decision.
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