In a rather unexpected twist, Ned O’Sullivan, a Senator from Fianna Fáil, has observed what he deems a high degree of irony. He points out that individuals who vehemently denounce the violent acts and horrors taking place in Gaza do not object to memorial services for the Provisional IRA. He emphasised that consistency is needed when criticising these incidents of violence.
O’Sullivan stressed that those who lament the situation in Rafah cannot also express sympathy for those responsible for the killing of his friend, Jerry McCabe. McCabe was a Garda officer who lost his life during a Provisional IRA-led post office raid in 1996.
In O’Sullivan’s view, it is paradoxical that many of those who are most vocal in their denouncement of Gaza’s violence have no qualms about approving remembrance services for Provisional IRA members who took thousands of lives in his homeland. This includes numerous individuals who belonged to the Catholic faith, demonstrating a curious balancing act.
O’Sullivan went on to comment on Hamas, stating that the release of their hostages could potentially lead to peace and a halt in firearm usage. He questioned why the hostages were not set free, highlighting their inhumane treatment and the agony of their families not knowing their fate. He asked for this topic to be discussed with a focus on balance.
In a debate regarding mandated security checks on aircraft passing through Ireland to prevent illegal possession of ammunition, the Senator positioned himself as somewhat of a deviation within the Israeli-Hamas conflict context. While he did not dismiss the accomplishments of Palestinians in obtaining a state, he questioned the nature, location, and other aspects of this proposed statehood.
O’Sullivan revealed that, even though he believes his party leader, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, and the Government to be promoting peace in the Middle East, he held serious uncertainties about the timing of this decision.
There’s every chance that Hamas views recent events as a reward for its actions on October 7th, according to Mr O’Sullivan. He pinpointed Hamas as the instigator of the latest spate in this historical conflict. He expressed disgust at video footage showing the mistreatment of exuberant young women enjoying a concert and who were subjected to humiliation, degradation, and sexual assault.
Regrettably, a large portion of the Palestinian community applauded these acts, something Mr O’Sullivan believes the pro-Palestinian advocates should consider. He pointed out what he perceives as an obsession with violence in a particular area of the world.
In a positive note, Mr O’Sullivan shared that recognising Palestine now gives us the ethical authority to encourage its people to hold elections, given the significant time that has passed since the last ones. He criticized Israel, while acknowledging it as a democracy that holds elections, and stated that its leader, Mr Netanyahu, was democratically elected – a statement that can’t be made about the leaders of Hamas or Hizbullah.
According to Mr O’Sullivan, Hamas offers no solution to the Middle East crisis, other than the complete obliteration of the Israeli people – a reality he assures as fact. His sympathy was extended to the Jewish community in this country and this city, stating that their struggles and the fear their children experience on their way to school are understood.
In conclusion, he expressed firm disagreement with President Michael D Higgins recent comments on anti-Semitism, siding instead with the new Chief Rabbi. President Higgins referred to allegations of anti-Semitism in Ireland as “unwarranted”. He condemned any form of abuse towards the Jewish community by asserting that anti-Semitism is widespread. Higgins expressed his view that it’s not helpful for representatives of the Jewish state to instill fear, where it doesn’t exist, among individuals of Jewish faith – a move he deems as grossly irresponsible.
Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder posed a confrontation to the President, expressing that Jewish families, who had resided in Ireland for six to eight generations, had conveyed to him a hitherto unprecedented level of discomfort, feeling an increased “tension” and a notable disregard for their perspectives as Jewish individuals.