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Tag: gaza

  • Fionn MacArthur – How do you go from living in a houseboat in Sligo to being in an Israeli detention centre? 

    Fionn MacArthur – How do you go from living in a houseboat in Sligo to being in an Israeli detention centre? 

    You’re awoken in the middle of the night to the deafening sound of an emergency siren. You scramble off the floor you’ve been sleeping on for the past 9 days; in the haze of panicked chaos, you manage to get on a life vest and make your way to the upper deck of the boat you’re travelling on. You and 90 other people sit there, unarmed, hands in the air as the military descends on you. Guns trained at your chest and screaming in a language you don’t understand, they herd you into the lower decks as you’re taken out of international waters towards imminent capture. At this point, many would be praying for this nightmare to end – but you signed up for this, you knew this was going to happen. This was the reality for Sligoman Fionn MacArthur when he was captured by Israeli Occupying Forces, the IOF, on a voyage to bring aid to Gaza.  

    MacArthur grew up living on a houseboat on Lough Gill, a lake around two kilometres from Sligo Town. He gained traction for his video journalism work during the Covid-19 pandemic documenting life in rural Sligo living in a boat during the lockdowns. He has continued to document life on Lough Gill while restoring old boats including one from World War II. But how did he move from his quiet life in rural Sligo to being in an Israeli detention centre?  

    His knowledge of boats and sailing lead MacArthur to volunteering after finishing his studies in filmmaking in 2017. MacArthur got involved with the Refugee Rescue organisation, a charity based out of Northern Ireland which operates a rescue boat in the waters surrounding the island of Lesvos in Greece. “For 10 years now, they’ve operated search and rescue on the sea looking for refugees. They saved 25,000 lives, most of them from Afghanistan,” he said. The two weeks MacArthur spent in the Moria Refugee Camp with Refugee Rescue in December 2017, kicked off his future in activism and volunteer work. 

    “They’ve been having various events and exhibitions over the last couple of months in the hopes to raise money. They are trying to raise €100,000 to get another rib [boat], to get back on the water, because after 10 years, their search and rescue vessel isn’t fit for the sea anymore,” he said. 

    “About two months ago, I was over in Denmark with them, kind of volunteering, helping them out at one of the fundraising exhibitions. It was the first time I actually met the founder in person. It was Joby Fox is an artist and musician from Belfast, and some of friends of his. They didn’t actually have any experience with working in search and rescue. I saw that there’s a void that needs to be filled and in hopes of saving people in the sea I went over to Denmark and volunteered with them,” said MacArthur. 

    “It was once I was back in Ireland that Joby reached out to see if I was interested or knew anyone interested in going on the Flotilla,” he said.  

    Eager to help out in any way possible, MacArthur dropped everything to join the Flotilla crew to see what he could offer. “Originally, I offered my filmmaking skills and knowledge of boats to the crew training. I didn’t know if I’d be going, if there was space for me, until the very last night; I was sort of only there in case someone got cold feet,” he said. 

    “I went over with Sicily, and that’s where the Madeline team and admin were based. They had eight boats there. That’s where Barry Henegan TD and Naoise Dolan, the author, were based. And so, I was living with them in their boat at the harbour for about 10 days before they departed. The rest of the crew, the Danish delegation and French Skipper, were also there but nothing was set in stone at this point,” he said.  

    “On the last night I found out there was no space for me. I thought I’d be coming back to Ireland in a couple of days’ time. And then I had heard that there couldn’t possibly be space on the Conscience, on the ferry boat that was made up of a media team, mainly journalists, and doctors that were to bring medical aid to Gaza,” he said. 

    Determined to finish what he had started and undeterred by the high risk of being captured, MacArthur focused his efforts on getting on the Conscience. “I contacted them, and eventually I got in contact with Dr Veronica O’Keen. Once they heard about me and I was able to get a place on the boat. So, I took a 10-hour bus from Sicily to Otranto, and I joined the last two days of training,” he said. 

    “They prepare you for everything, in terms of de-escalation, hostile environment awareness training and what to prepare for, in case of, being intercepted and kidnapped by the Israeli Navy, which, which did happen. Two days we set off from one Otranto, and we spent 10 days on the sea,” he said. 

    Like the rest of the flotilla activists, MacArthur was captured by the Israeli Navy and endured brutal treatment while in captivity. Every single member of the flotilla knew what they were about to endure “we had even been told when we would most likely be intercepted,” he said. However, he maintains what he did was not worthy of praise. “Unfortunately, people have put us in the limelight and said that we’re heroes, having tried to bring humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. And we never wanted to have to do this. what we went through is nothing. It’s a fraction in terms of what the Palestinian people are going through every day,” he said. 

  • ‘Paddystinians’ – The Surge in Irish Support for Palestine

    ‘Paddystinians’ – The Surge in Irish Support for Palestine

    Photo Courtesy : Céad Míle Flags

    In recent years, many Irish people of all ages and backgrounds increasingly have one thing in common – standing in solidarity with Gaza and Palestinians.

    From large-scale marches through the city centre to local fundraisers and solidarity vigils, Irish people are voicing their concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

    Ireland has long held a unique position in global solidarity movements, shaped by the country’s own history of colonialism and conflict.  

    Many Irish people see parallels between their past and the Palestinian struggle.  

    That sense of shared history continues to resonate, particularly among younger generations who are increasingly vocal on issues of global justice. 

    There are many fundraising groups such as Irish Queers for Palestine, Irish Artists for Palestine, GAA for Palestine.

    Earlier this month, Electric Picnic festival saw many artists, both Irish and international, vocalising their support.

    Artists such as Kneecap, Hozier, Becky Hill, and Girls Don’t Sync all paid massive tributes to Palestine and the festival was packed with red, green, black and white flags.

    Artists show their solidarity for Palestine at Electric Picnic. Taken at the ‘Mother After Dark Stage’.
    Photo Courtesy of Jack Maguire

    Among many groups are ‘Irish Sport for Palestine’, who are currently pushing the following narrative; “Show Israel the red card”. 

    The group describes themselves as egalitarian, anti-sectarian, anti-racist, and all-Ireland based.   

    “We started the group as many Irish sports figures, and indeed sports fans, were and continue to be opposed to Israeli apartheid, genocide and occupation,” spokesperson Joanne McDonald said.

    “There was a collective understanding that we needed to add voices from sport to demand a ceasefire and end the brutal occupation of Palestine,” she said.

    “Israel is a terror state and sport sanctions need to be applied”

    Joanne McDonald of Irish Sport for Palestine

    The group has come together with Bohemian FC and Fairsquare to call for UEFA to suspend Israel’s football association (FA). 

    They are fighting for this as Israel’s FA is breaking UEFA and FIFA rules by facilitating clubs operating in illegal West Bank settlements and failing to stop racist and violent chants targeting Palestinians. 

    They explain that the bigger picture is how the United Nations has found Israel guilty of committing genocide in Gaza. 

    “Football cannot ignore these violations while Palestinians are starved, displaced and killed,” said McDonald.  


    A recent campaign – Photo Courtesy : Irish Sport for Palestine

    Another Irish support group is ‘Céad Míle Flags’. 

    They aim to “re-claim” the Irish tricolour flag from the recent popularity of using it in anti-immigrant and far-right protests across the country. 

    Photo courtesy of Céad Míle Flags

    €10 of every purchase of their Palestine flag gets donated to the Irish Red Cross Gaza Crisis Appeal. They also have options of Ukrainian-Irish hybrid flags or Indian-Irish flags.

    They are also made with 40% recyclable materials and the flags are 100% recyclable and you can click here if you want to see more of their products on Instagram.

    In big ways and small, across cities, towns, and rural communities, MANY Irish people are showing up for Palestine, not just in protest, but in both creativity and compassion. 

    Whether it’s musicians on festival stages, sports fans calling for justice on the pitch, or young artists sewing flags from recyclable fabric, support for the Palestinians remains a popular cause.

  • In Photos: Thousands take to the streets for Dublin’s largest Palestine protest to date 

    In Photos: Thousands take to the streets for Dublin’s largest Palestine protest to date 

    By Liam Murphy

    On Saturday, October 5, thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin to mark one year of Israeli escalation in Gaza. 

    The march, the biggest of its kind to date in Ireland, called for an end to Israel’s occupation, an end to the use of Irish airspace for transporting weapons, and for the Irish Government to act in holding Israel accountable.  

    Several chants were also heard supporting Lebanon, following recent attacks there, also by Israel. 

    The national march, titled ‘GAZA: One Year of Israel’s Genocide’, began at the Garden of Remembrance and made its way to Molesworth Street, where a stage had been set up. 

    Speakers on the stage included Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning Palestinian filmmaker Farah Nabulsi, Palestinian photojournalist Eman Mohammed, Zak Hania, who recently returned home from Gaza after seven months, and Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s chairperson Zoë Lawlor. 

    Music on the day came from renowned Irish singer-songwriter John Spillane, Palestinian-Irish singer Roisin El Cherif, and Palestinian rapper Talha Alali.   

    All photos taken by Liam Murphy

    Protestors gather at Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance with signs and banners. 
    A group gathers with signs; Some with donation QR codes, others with song lyrics, others with art – Each with meaning. 
    Supporters gather around a 30ft Palestinian flag, as the crowd prepares to march. 
    A young girl wearing a keffiyeh poses as the march makes its way down O’Connell Street. 
    ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free’ – chants are heard across the capital city. 
    Protestors feel the heat as one bloc light up flares as the march moves down O’Connell Street 
    A masked up keffiyeh-wearing group stand roadside on O’Connell Bridge holding a red Hezbollah flag. 
    A woman holds up a scarf, branded with the Keffiyeh pattern and the Palestinian flag and Irish tricolour flag. 
    ‘You’d care if it was Cork!’ – A protestor holds up a sign on Molesworth Street, calling out the Irish Government 
    The march makes its way around the corner from Dawson Street, now heading up towards Leinster House. 
    Cork singer songwriter John Spillane tuning up before taking to the stage to perform his song ‘Palestinian Sunbird’ 
    Zak Hania smiles as crowds applaud his entrance. Hania spent seven months in Gaza unable to return home. 
    Palestinian rapper Talha AlAli (known as Wise Wolf) performs his newest single ‘Inshallah’ with Irish artist Blue Niall 

  • Focus on peace: Ireland’s pro-Palestine demonstrations  

    Focus on peace: Ireland’s pro-Palestine demonstrations  

    By Leon Thompson

    Ireland’s support during the Gaza crisis has extended following the announcement of €13 million in aid being sent to Palestine.

    Tánaiste Micheál Martin announced the aid in Dáil Éireann as an acknowledgement of the escalated violence in the Middle East. 

    Mr Martin hopes “a lasting and sustainable peace” can be achieved following Israel’s declaration of war on Hamas when Israeli citizens were attacked two weeks ago. Mr Martin has also said the Irish government unequivocally condemns the attacks made by Hamas and expresses their deepest condolences for the Israeli people affected.  

    The Ireland-Palestine Support Campaign (IPSC) is supporting demonstrations nationwide, while the national demonstration to end the slaughters in Gaza will take place in Dublin tomorrow afternoon. 

    Cork, Cavan, Clare, Kerry and Belfast will also see demonstrations tomorrow. 

    The Garden of Remembrance in Dublin 1 should expect demonstrators at 1pm on the 21st of October following IPSC’s announcement saying, “As Apartheid Israel continues pounding the captive and besieged people of Gaza with indiscriminate bombing and gets ready for a full-scale invasion, all with the blessing of Western powers, we ask you to join us at an emergency solidarity rally in support of the Palestinian people.” 

    Crowds are expected to attend while TD Mr Paul Murphy has announced his support and attendance saying, “When does Palestine get the right to defend itself? 75 years of ethnic cleansing and apartheid…17 years of a brutal siege on Gaza…10,000 Palestinians killed in the last 15 years. Stop the slaughter!”

    Demonstrators at a protest. Image: unsplash.ie

    Other counties such as Tipperary and Antrim saw protests yesterday, October 19th while counties such as Louth, Longford, Cork, Down and Armagh will hold more demonstrations throughout the month of October. 

    The last demonstration supported by the IPSC is anticipated for Co.Mayo on the 25th of October. 

    Campaigners were outside of the Dáil on October 18th with Diarmuid Breatnach in attendance calling it “a duty and a pleasure” as he anticipated the outcome of the debate happening inside.  

    In Cork, one demonstrator Patrick Hobbart said: “…it’s deeply distressing to witness the enduring hardships faced by the Palestinian people who have carried the heavy burden of apartheid and colonialism for generations. It’s imperative to acknowledge that Hamas doesn’t speak for all Palestinians. The Israeli government must heed this plea and halt their relentless assault on innocent civilians. In this conflict, there are no victors…the international community must unite to demand an immediate ceasefire.” 

    Kevin Callinan, General Secretary of Fórsa Trade Union echoed Mr Martin’s sentiments, “The killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas and the collective punishment of the people of Gaza by the Israeli government will do nothing to end the occupation and bring about peace,” he said. 

    President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen’s statement declaring “Europe stands with Israel” has led to a lot of pushback from members of the European Parliament (MEP) especially  

    MEP Clare Daly commended protesters that occupied the European Commission’s Office in Dublin saying: “So proud of friends and comrades…currently occupying the European Commission offices in Dublin as we here in Strasbourg go in to vote on a shameful Parliament motion that fails to condemn Israel for its ongoing crimes against humanity in Gaza.”

    Protesters outside of Dublin’s European Commission’s Office. Image: X

    The office was occupied by concerned citizens organised into a group called Dublin for Gaza, with one member Lamia Tadjine saying: “Let us be clear—blood is on the hands, not just of the Israeli military and leadership, but on the hands of those states and institutions who have provided cover for these atrocities, such as the European Union.”