On March 11, Nicky Larson wrote a column for The Independent (Ireland) hitting on virulent anti-Israel sentiment in Ireland:
I used to hate Israel. I used to think the Left was always right. Not any more. Now I loathe Palestinian terrorists. Now I see why Israel has to be hard. Now I see the Left can be Right — as in right-wing…
Israel is a refuge — but a refuge under siege, a refuge where rockets rain death from the skies. And as I made the effort to empathise, to look at the world through their eyes. I began a new intellectual journey. One that would not be welcome back home.
The problem began when I resolved to come back with a film that showed both sides of the coin. Actually there are many more than two. Which is why my film is called Forty Shades of Grey. But only one side was wanted back in Dublin. My peers expected me to come back with an attack on Israel. No grey areas were acceptable.
An Irish artist is supposed to sign boycotts, wear a PLO scarf, and remonstrate loudly about The Occupation. But it’s not just artists who are supposed to hate Israel. Being anti-Israel is supposed to be part of our Irish identity, the same way we are supposed to resent the English.
The response Larkin received resulted in a follow up column (h/t Toby Harnden):
Stalin would be proud. He’d have loved Facebook these past couple of weeks. One of his pre-Facebook mates had some similar ideas on Jews in Germany in the Thirties, as some of the online sentiment shows in reaction to the article.
Is it too far a stretch to conclude that the rise of anti-Semitism on this island is in tandem with the death of a certain Tiger? Are we just bitter that there’s a financially thriving state out there? A financially thriving race? And, worst of all, one that doesn’t need our approval? Is that what we are really talking about when we dispute Israel’s “right to exist”? Or is it just plain old anti-Semitism?
It would be easy to blame the Irish, and they deserve blame. But Ireland’s virulent anti-Israel sentiment is far from limited to Ireland.
Anti-Israel sentiment in Ireland is the embodiment of the bizarre Islamist-Leftist anti-Israel coalition which manifests itself in the BDS movement, on boats heading for Gaza, and in “pinkwashing” conferences on U.S. campuses. They are all Irish when it comes to Israel.
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Prof., there is something fundamentally wrong with the Irish mind-set.
They are erecting a statue of Che in Galway. Or, if you feel about Che as I do, an open-air public urinal.
A lot of Europe is waking up…maybe too late…to the suicidal effects of Collectivism. Hopefully, the Irish will be coming along soon, too.
It’s the Collective, stupids…
Someone like yourself who openly calls themselves an “old hippie” should refrain from smearing whole groups of people.
I’m of Irish heritage who’s ancestry hails back to Ireland and Galway in particular, some ancestors were political leaders in local government there and I believe they were center-right… anyway this Che statue thingy is being pushed by the center-left Labor Party which is currently in power.
Furthermore, I haven’t seem much focus on the liberal Jewish lobby that is currently a major funding arm of Che Obama.
Lastly, I was aghast at the right blogoshere who touted Michigan Governor RINO Rick Snyder’s economic policies as #winning.
Creation of the Quality of Place Fund for the arts and cultural development.
http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,1607,7-277–251733–,00.html
Five million Taxpayer funded art for urban renewal?
Galway political leaders now question Che Guevara monument plan
Say resolution never mentioned any monument to guerilla leader
By ANTOINETTE KELLY,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Saturday, April 7, 2012, 7:55 AM
Gov Snyder never mentioned a white fist next to the black fist monument in Detroit….
-I’m sure Detroit City Clowncil will be right on it.
The anti-semitism we’re seeing today is a byproduct of Islamofascism, which is the current intellectual rage, both here and abroad.
So long as the media showcases self hating Jews while simultaneously ignoring the barbarity of the “religion of peace”, I fear the problem will only get worse.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Front Page Magazine… A must-read (all the time) did this four part series:
Allied in Anti-Semitism — The Irish Connection, Part III | FrontPage …
Jun 22, 2010 … [Editor’s note: This is the third installment of a four-part series. Part IV of “Allied in Anti-Semitism” will appear in our Wednesday issue. Click the …
frontpagemag.com/…/allied-in-anti-semitism-the-irish-connection-part-iii/
Allied in Anti-Semitism – the Irish Connection Part II | FrontPage …
Jun 21, 2010 … [Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a four-part series. Click the following to read Part I, Part III, or Part IV.] Former President of Ireland …
frontpagemag.com/…/allied-in-anti-semitism-–-the-irish-connection/
Allied in Anti-Semitism – the Irish Connection | FrontPage Magazine
Jun 18, 2010 … Arthur Griffith, the founder of Sinn Fein, was notoriously anti-Semitic. He supported the most serious episode of violence towards Jews in Irish …
frontpagemag.com/2010/06/18/allied-in-anti-semitism/
Allied in Anti-Semitism — The Irish Connection Part IV | FrontPage …
Jun 23, 2010 … To read earlier segments of “Allied in Anti-Semitism — The Irish Connection,” click Part I, Part II, or Part III.] Justin Kilcullen is head of Trócaire, …
frontpagemag.com/…/allied-in-anti-semitism-the-irish-connection-part-iv-5/
I am ashamed of my Irish brethren. Ashamed that they insisted on neutrality during WWII because they didn’t want to do anything that would help the British–not because they were afraid of Hitler. Ashamed that they freaked out when the US asked to land at Shannon as a pit-stop on the way to Iraq. And I’m especially ashamed at their anti-Semitism.
The Irish may have gained (mostly) independence, but they didn’t rise above their oppression. Instead, they gave into it and allowed it to make their minds small and warped.
The USA initially had a position of neutrality in both WWI and WWII ..??
The USA’s neutrality in those periods was far from neutral. There was no state of war between the USA and the Central and Axis powers, but the USA was rendering the Allies all the aid it could. Especially in WW2, where the USA had pilots fighting the Japanese in China, an embargo on Japan that essentially forced the Japanese to attack Pearl Harbor, the Lend Lease program in Europe, a week of frantically supplying Canada with all the arms that could be shipped before it joined the war, etc.
you say Nicky Larson in first paragraph, should that be Larkin?
Ahh yes, the Irish.
You see, when my parents came to our nation from Sicily, it wasn’t good to be ‘eye’talian. The
MicIrish use to harass, chase and even beat them. That is until the area known as Little Italy was reached.The only thing that happened in the aftermath, was to clean up the broken glass from all the booze bottles, that fell from pockets, as the lads and lassies, made their hasty retreat.
Seems they had a fear of the fabled honor societies, found in Sicily and Southern Italy, or something.
Ahh yes, the Irish.
The Irish had their own “honor societies,” too, in NYC. One of those gangs killed my uncle.
My take on liberal antisemitism comes from being a former liberal and atheist. When I first started to learn about conservatism, mainly as a result of learning about Islam and trying to figure out why so many liberals went out of their way to defend Islam while trashing Christianity, I would argue with liberals about why they did it. Why? Why do you jump all over Christianity as if it’s the worst evil to ever befall mankind and yet defend Islam every chance you get? I didn’t get it.
It would take far too long to get from there to my opinion of why every liberal is a raging anti-Semite but here’s the short version:
All liberals believe that Christianity is the worst evil ever perpetrated on mankind. Don’t argue with them. That’s what they believe. The only reason Christians support the state of Israel is that they, meaning all Christians, believe the existence of Israel is required to bring about Armageddon. The End of Days. The Rapture. Which term they use probably depends on which movie they saw.
That’s why they hate Israel. But they hate Jews, too, because they believe all the stuff they’ve “learned” about how Jews “manipulate” people. So George W. Bush was a tool of the Jews because he wanted to bring about the end of the world so that he and all the other Christians could…do whatever they think Christians want the end of the world to be like.
I’m not being sarcastic or facetious. I have argued with a lot of liberals over the years and whenever I ask them about Israel they all tell me some version of the above.
Then they’re closet Muslims all cuz that kind of stupid theology is found only in Islam–according to which the 13th imam has been stuck down a well somewhere in Iran (why oh why won’t somebody throw a moron a rope so he could climb out after all these centuries?!?!). We can’t bring about Armageddon. More importantly, we don’t know when any of that stuff is gonna happen. But, I guess when you believe in fairy tales like windmills, global warming, shrinking icecaps, you’ll say and believe anything.
GW Bush was the perpetrator of the despicable ‘Religion of Peace’ lie and allowed readings from the Koran at 9/11 memorials…. which is blasphemy. Real Christians know that book was produced by a demon spirit tormenting a progressively insane (with hatred) warlord.
There is among liberals calling themselves Christians an apostate/heretical embrace of Islam, resulting in a movement called Chrislam, an attempt to join the two religions together. Some churches are allowing Islamists to use their buildings for mosques.
Obama’s rearing and training was among the Muslims, Black Muslims, Black Supremacists and Marxists. Though he claims to be Christian, his policies are neither Christian nor Biblical. If he is re-elected, we will see all his blood and ideologies bear their anti-semite anti-Israel fruit.
The Irish are like the Arabs calling themselves “Palestinians”–they never miss an opportunity to be on the wrong side of history. They’ve long been anti-Semitic. Guess which side they were on during WWII?
As someone who was born and raised in Ireland I object to your nasty portrayal of Irish people. I went to College in Ireland and never heard anti-Semitic comments from anyone. Don’t judge a whole nation on the comments of a small number of jerks, it’s not a fair thing to do.
Fair enough, let’s hear the Irish voices drowning out the anti-Semites.
Sort of like I want to believe in the wholesomeness of police officers. But when enough bad ones keep going without being called out by the good ones, I lose my faith in the existence of good police officers. How do I know that someday, when I a decent officer to stand up to the bad ones and protect me, there will be a decent officer around to do the right thing?
So, where are the Irish voices condemning the anti-Semites? How am I to know your opinion is the majority, and not the minority?
Here. Awful. Ironic that Obama claims Irish heritage. Ew.
Just to point out one thing, please. Irish were badly abused by the British, unwillingly conscripted into the most dangerous, lowest dregs of the British army in wars before WWII.
The fact that the English mistreated the Irish 60 or 400 years ago is no justification for how the Irish treat anyone today. Unless the Irish are so messed up (as a culture), that they think perpetuating abusive behaviors is the *right* thing to do. And I hope that’s not the case. But I’m waiting/hoping to see evidence that’s different. Statues to Che, hating Israel and wanting to kill it and all Jewish people who live there – those are symptoms of a culture that’s deeply hurting. And no matter what the English might have done, they never as a country wanted genocide on the Irish, the way the Irish want to genocide Jews.
I think I now understand why the Irish did what they did during WW2.
Happy Resurrection, folks! Christos anesti! Kyrios anesti! Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Amen! Christ is risen indeed. Allelulah! Jesus is Lord.
Don’t forget – not so long ago at all – the red-headed lads and lassies of Ireland were involved in a reign of cruel terrorist bombings that would make an Al Quaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah proud. In fact, Ireland’s bombings may have been the inspiration for their Middle Eastern counterparts.
Though I have Irish blood myself (along with French, German, Welsh and Scots, and my dad claimed Egyptian and Semite), I’m ashamed of this part of Irish history.
As for Ireland’s anti-Israel sentiment, Pam Gellar has found a suspiciously Irish-looking Jihadi terrorist Al Suri, aka Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, last seen in Syria, whose appearance all but proves the old adage, “politics (and tactics) makes strange bedfellows.”
Indeed.
TennOne,
You cannot deny what I have typed about the war and terrorism Northern and Southern Irealand, England, Protestant and Catholic is true and shameful. There is also among liberals, an infection of anti-Israel sentiment, especially among the academic elites. Heck, Prince Charles and one of the recent UK Prime Ministers approved UK funds for Hamas. Much of the UK has become a cushy little nest for Islamists.
We must never idealize or whitewash our forefathers, parents, people, nations or our history. There is always sin among us. We must always admit, own, confess and hopefully repent our sin and overcome it with God’s help and power. This is a requirement of God for both Jews and Christians. Thus there are seasons of repentance Aseret Yemei Teshuva to Yom Kippur, and for, traditional Christians there is fasting from Advent to Christmas, from Ash Wednesday through Lent to Easter.
So he has a Arab name and looks Irish so its only logical for Pam Geller to make the leap that he’s an Irish Terrorist conducting Jihad on three Jewish children and a rabbi.
This sounds similarly like the pathetic leap the left made with Norway’s Breivik trying to link him to Sarah Palin and the Tea Party.
Not sure if it’s fair to single out the Irish, when anti-semitism is rampant throughout all of Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa.
Did I mention our own government refused to accept Jerusalem as part of Israel?
I certainly never thought I’d see the rise of anti-semitism in my lifetime–so soon after the Holocaust.
Honestly, I just don’t get it. Never have, never will.
Haters gonna hate. And the preferred group to hate is anybody (or group) that’s successful against long odds. Because it then raises the question: If *they* could be successful when people are biased against them, how come *you* aren’t successful when people are biased for you (or unbiased at all)? It’s much easier to hate others for their success than to admit you made mistakes or were lazy or stupid. Especially when you’re lazy or stupid.
Anti-Israel anti-Semitism among the left is a religion akin to their faith in global warming. It’s almost unshakeable. Human beings are smart animals … unless they exist in echo chambers … then they seem capable of believing the most absurd and ridiculous of things. Universities are echo chambers. Newsrooms are echo chambers. Societies with few or no Jews can be echo chambers.
Years ago I used to argue with these people on internet message boards. Even though you can use their logic against them to tie them up in knots … it doesn’t cause them to question their evil faith … it only causes them to lash out with profanity and insults. It seems a waste of time to try and talk sense into them.
At least a couple hundred million Americans support Israel. We all need to talk to those who don’t have a strong opinion formed on Israel, as well as the fence sitters and the apolitical. I talk to the moderate Democrats at work and give them occasional jokey reminders about why they should vote Republican and support America and Israel when the opportunity arises. I just dish out little factoids with a bit of humor and get them thinking.
My children are growing up pro-Israel and they will have a pro-Israel effect on those around them as well as their children.
I believe this has to be a grassroots phenomenom. We can’t count on the media … at least not at this point in time.
Anti-Israel anti-Semitism is also akin to a religion with those reality denying Ron Paul supporters.
I know many people who have been followers of him for a large amout of years who have now passed this hatred onto their children who look up to him as some sort of god and preach hatred of not just Israel but America to fellow mush-minded college chums.
This is not an Irish problem. Anti-semitism is on the rise and propagated by the BHO administration spreading IslamoNazis throughout the world and using our money – Top Down. The Jews are just the canary in the coal mine – Christians need to pay attention. This situation can only lead to WWIII and/or a situation that will make the Holocaust look like a spanking compared to what will happen.
This begs the question, Was Marx Right? Is this Nation to be restored as a force for good in the world based on Judeo-Christian morals as our Founders’ framework laid out?
Jesus, a Jew, knew the rules of the Torah:
1) Do not do unto others that which you do not want done to yourself.
2) Love thy neighbor as thyself.
If this Nation is not to be restored, the only conclusion is that Marx was right. Unfortunately, as history indicates, Godless Communism has not worked out very well, promoting severe forms of inhumanity. In the summer of 1940, Baal HaSulam published the newspaper “The Nation” in the last attempt to arrive at any practical actions before the Holocaust and in the face of the problems that enveloped the mandated Palestine of those times. His followers are warning once again. My question is what type of Communism are we heading for?
On September 17, 1787, Franklin noted the Constitution “is likely to be well administered for a Course of years, and can only end in Despotism as other Forms have done before it, when the People shall become corrupt as to need Despotic Government, being incapable of any other…”
It’s not bizarre at all. Islam is an imperialistic religion. It is designed to be realized in left-wing ideology. It is totalitarian by nature. What the Irish fail to recognize is that their fate is analogous to the Israeli Jews and not to the Muslims, or Arabs specifically. It wasn’t until a few decades ago that the “Palestinians” were rejected by their former allies and became a cause for the Left to exploit. Before that it was the Jews, Christians, pagans, and Muslims from minority sects who were murdered and oppressed. Whose land, liberty, and lives were taken through Islamic imperial conquest.
On March 11, Nicky Larson wrote a column
I think you meant Nicky Larkin.
This situation can only lead to WWIII and/or a situation that will make the Holocaust look like a spanking compared to what will happen.
You took words out of my mouth. I logged in to say: Gradually taking shape is a war that will make WW2 seem like a schoolyard tussle. Sooner or later, in five years or fifty.
I hope I’m wrong and I’m sure you hope you’re wrong, but I remember having dinner with a friend in the 1990s and predicting something like 9/11—during a time frame ten to twenty years after it actually happened.
Oopa. The above was meant as a reply to Terri | April 8, 2012 at 1:53 pm.
Oopa -> Oops
Sheesh. Had an appalling nightmare last night. Seems I’m still feeling it.
This is an interesting read:
Why I no longer hate Israel
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4213529,00.html
“Did I mention our own government refused to accept Jerusalem as part of Israel?”
Which is one very good reason to support Newt Gingrich who said he will return Jerusalem to Israel.
If Obama remains in power, Israel will become a casualty.
Jerusalem is, was, and always will by the Jewish Capitol.
– conquered by invading armies, or edict by an American politician, it is what is always was.
Capital, not Capitol. “Capitol” is a proper noun, like “Bill”; it’s the name of specific buildings, just as Bill is the name of specific people. There is no building by that name in Jerusalem, or indeed anywhere in Israel.
All my life I’ve been waiting for, I’ve been praying for, for the people to say;
That we don’t want to fight no more, there’ll be no more wars, and our children will play;
One Day! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLDl8fbJx0I
I enjoyed that. Thanks.
Irish anti-Zionism makes no sense. There are strong parallels between Israel and Ireland, and the so-called “Palestinians” are like a grotesquely exaggerated version of Ulster Unionist terrorists.
The Irish can carry a grudge, that’s for sure. England has long supported Israel’s right to exist…but until recent history, not Ireland’s.
[…] Item: The Irish times are a changin‘ […]