We are all Palestinians: A Protest in Northern Ireland

In the wake of the Gaza bombardment of January of 2009 I remember walking in Washington, DC from the Israeli Embassy to the Egyptian Embassy cheering “Free, free Palestine,” as the Irish tricolour blew alongside the Palestinian flag. A similar scene emerged in relation to the Free Gaza flotilla campaign of May 2010 outside the Belfast City Hall and Stormont government buildings in Northern Ireland. The international outcry for justice from D.C. to Belfast may seem similar, however, post-conflict Northern Ireland carries with it important political undertones which seem to permeate many group activities and international ideologies.

The struggle of republicans, longing and working towards a united Ireland to include Northern Ireland, which as of now remains part of the United Kingdom; has been purposefully connected to the movements of Palestinians, black South Africans, Basque countrymen and other self-deterministic underdogs. In an April 2009 report by Gerry Adams, longtime leader of the strongest nationalist party in Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein, was an outline of his visit to the Palestinian Territories and Israel. He describes the stance of Sinn Fein as supporting “the right of all peoples to national self determination and to the exercise of that right without external interference or impediment.”

Conversely, loyalists have united their cause to the security dilemmas of the outnumbered Israelis and white South Africans. Flying Israeli flags and sporting the Star of David, much of the loyalist community of Northern Ireland has condemned the violence of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) by comparing it to terrorist movements around the world, including attacks led by Palestinians.

These international relationships have fuelled the rhetoric of politicians and the symbolism of communities. Nowhere has this been more evident than in the “flag wars” of 2002. Loyalist communities proudly hung the Israeli flag, blue and white with the Star of David while nationalists decorated their homes and streets with the Palestinian red, green, black, and white. Murals depicting a deprived Gaza with proud Palestinian flags and Arabic writing line the strongly nationalist Falls Road. The divisions between loyalist and nationalist Northern Ireland have been mirrored by the schisms in other deeply divided societies and protracted conflicts. 

Given this, I would not take part in the protests and movements this year because by supporting the cause of the Palestinians, I would be inherently supporting a political position in Northern Ireland. I look forward to the day when movements for human rights and justice support only the prospects of cooperation, peace, and hope without the undertones of contentious political division. 

TRI-Harder

Tri-colour flying in Belfast cemetary

My first St Patrick's Day in Belfast (17 March 2010) I wanted to spend in Downpatrick, a town about 30 minutes south of Belfast. A mentor of mine explained that it was a very nice family day out with an ecumenical vibe. Catholic and Protestant churches held services on St Patrick's Day and inclusive events were planned throughout the week. Unfortunately, I didn't make it out of bed early enough to get to make it down last year and this year I found myself working (on a public holiday??). It wasn't late into the day when I heard the reports of this year's St Patrick's Day celebrations; a Sinn Fein Councillor flew an enormous tri-colour in the Downpatrick parade, which led to some DUP representatives leaving the event in disgust. That councillor knew protocol and made an unnecessary statement at an important day for inclusion and cooperation.

July bonfire, tri-colour burning in Belfast

Flags in Northern Ireland are powerful symbols to say the least. The Belfast City Hall flies the Union Jack to represent its connection to the United Kingdom, however, it would not take anyone long to note the identity-crisis of the country. Tri-colours and union jacks (alongside other flags representing allegiances to the UK OR Ireland, not usually both) mark individual homes, collective streets, and the wider communities of Northern Ireland as either Protestant-Unionist-Loyalist or Catholic-Nationalist-Republican.

The 12th of July marks a Protestant victory over the Catholics in the infamous/famous Battle of the Boyne of 1690. This past July (2010) was my first time in Northern Ireland for the Twelfth parades, marches, and bonfires. While I have a number of questions and thoughts springing from that experience, my primary focus at present is the burning of the tri-colour atop the bonfire, symbolically lit at midnight on the 12th of July. The crowds were having fun drinking and singing, but I couldn't help feeling on edge as the flames rose closer and closer to the Irish flag. When it finally engulfed in flames and the crowd cheered my heart sunk and I felt sick. I kept thinking, why isn't this made illegal? Would it matter?

With these two holidays and celebrations, one celebrating the victory of Protestantism in Northern Ireland and the other representing St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, both sponsored by government funding, the tri-colour has been an important symbol involved. Is it worse to burn or fly the tri-colour? Which action is harmless?

Angels of Hope display in Victoria Square, City Centre

For loyalists the existence of the tri-colour is a constant reminder that an united Ireland is a possibility and for nationalists the union jack is a constant reminder of the present arrangement where Northern Ireland is an integral part of the UK. Northern Ireland's limbo status makes symbols contentious. Flags present Northern Ireland with a challenge, as there is no official Northern Ireland flag to unite the 2 million people living together in this part of the island. Off the bat it may seem as though burning a tri-colour is more offensive than waving around a large one in a parade--but if we take a second look, one is both as negative as the other in that they both threaten the identity and feelings of security of the other.

I'd love to see a Northern Ireland with a flag that incorporates the rich culture and identity of Ireland with the legacy and prestige of the UK. For communities to live side by side as they do is a triumph in the face of oppression, fear, and legacies of violence and hatred. However, to truly share in the future, flag burnings cannot be tolerated and boisterous flag-flyings cannot be ignored. It is with great sensitivity that Northern Ireland must continue moving forward. This should not mean that flags are banned and that identities are hidden and repressed, but it should mean that the norm of flag burning and intentionally overt flag flying should be addressed and strongly challenged by both communities. 

Welcome to Belfast

A year and a half ago I moved to Belfast and fell in love. The people here make me laugh and the scenery makes me smile. I can think of nothing better than the way I feel when I step outside and look into the grey sky, green hills, and yellow cranes!

I came here to study comparative ethnic conflict at Queen's and to hopefully understand why Northern Ireland has become such an important symbol of peace for the world. What I've found is that Belfast, like many other places in the world, is a work in progress. Some days I'm confused and some days I'm frustrated. Some days I'm really upset and sometimes I'm thrilled. Everyday, without fail, I am hopeful that life goes on and that people can make a difference.

Nearly everyday I take photos and jot down wee notes and ideas about what I see and experience, just as a way of processing some complicated realities. I've decided to share some of these things to challenge myself to take a stance on some issues, generate some discussion, and to remind myself why I'm here.