Ireland has been frequently mocked by British commentators for the attention we have given to the sufferings of the people of Gaza. Consider just three contributions to one UK magazine, “The Spectator”, over the last six months. In May, Rory Hanrahan wrote a piece under the title “Why do some Irish people hate Israel so much?” In June, there was a Brendan O’Neill contribution titled “Ireland has been consumed by hatred of Israel”. And in July, Liz Walsh an article under the headline “Why one US diplomat thinks Ireland has ‘fallen into a vat of Guinness’”
Are these commentators right? Have we Irish become consumed by anti-Israel hatred? Or even, dare one say it, by antisemitism? I don’t think so. There are two very valid reasons why we have focused so much critical attention on Israel’s behaviour in Gaza.
This article is premium content
Get unlimited access to Gript
Support Gript and get exclusive content, full archives and an ad-free experience
Subscribe
Already a member? Sign in here