Naoise Dolan, an Irish writer, has recently voiced her frustrations regarding the international media’s praise of Ireland’s governmental achievements, particularly the passage of marriage equality and abortion rights referendums in 2015 and 2018. While these milestones signify progress for many, Dolan believes they overshadow critical issues, particularly the Irish government’s response to the ongoing crisis in Palestine.
Dolan happened to be living in Berlin when Israel started its bombardment on Gaza on October 7, 2023. This strike was retaliation against Hamas’s attack on Israel. Watching things play out from outside the country only magnified her sense of frustration and helplessness. Dolan’s trip is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. This humanitarian mission hopes to end Israel’s ongoing siege on Gaza and bring much-needed food, water, medicine and other supplies into the territory.
During her reflections, Dolan expressed her concern about protesting in various countries. Ireland proved to be a much more congenial space for demonstrations than Germany, she discovered. At times, it was extremely difficult during her year in Berlin. Dolan was arrested twice by German police just for showing up to pro-Palestine protests. In addition, she experienced violence directed towards other protesters, especially towards Muslims, that traumatized her.
Dolan has experienced a huge mismatch between the accolades heaped upon Ireland’s domestic policies, and the government’s stance on Palestine. This disparity highlight very much set his beard on fire. She delivered a moving criticism of the media coverage of Ireland’s recent referendums. At the same time, the suffering of Palestinians fell off the radar. Dolan goes on to blast the Irish government’s response to Palestine. His claim is that their efforts go to defend Israel’s oppression of Palestinians rather than fighting for justice.
For Dolan, that story about Ireland’s support for Palestine is an attractive myth. She maintains that a lot of people think of Ireland as this great advocate for the Palestinians. The truth is a lot more nuanced than that. Dolan contends that the Irish government is being hypocritical. They continue to tout their commitment to human rights while engaging in behavior that is in clear contradiction to those stated principles.
Dolan’s mission with the flotilla embodies her strong devotion to fighting against this hypocrisy. She has been an outspoken advocate for delivering humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Her aim, she says, is to draw attention to the critical humanitarian needs of its residents under continued bombardment and siege. This mission does a great job of pointing out the wider forces at work. It shows us how, behind the facade of a real debate between EU states about recognizing Palestine, there lies an illusion.
Kitty O’Brien, a 25-year-old from Dublin, talks to Dolan about her own experience. She was severely beaten by police during a pro-Gaza protest in Berlin. O’Brien’s experience is representative of the rising hostility towards pro-Palestine protests and indicates a deepening fear among Palestinian rights advocates.