Ireland has recently announced its decision to intervene in the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, aligning with its longstanding solidarity with the Palestinian cause. This move adds to the mounting international pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu's government to scale back its assault on Gaza and alleviate severe restrictions on food aid that are pushing Palestinians towards famine.
Unlike many other European governments, Ireland's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict sets it apart. Zoë Lawlor, leading the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), highlighted the deep empathy and sympathy in Ireland towards the Palestinian people.
The roots of this solidarity can be traced back to a shared history of subjugation by an occupying state. Ireland endured over 800 years of English and British rule, beginning with the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th Century. Jane Ohlmeyer, a history professor at Trinity College Dublin, noted that Ireland's status as Britain's oldest colony distinguishes it from other Western European nations, many of which were imperial powers themselves.
Ohlmeyer emphasized the parallel between Ireland and Palestine, both having direct and prolonged experiences with imperialism. The shared colonial past between the Irish and Palestinians has significantly influenced how people in Ireland engage with post-colonial conflicts.
