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March 10, 2009
Violence in Northern Ireland: Erin Go Gaza?
In September 1984, during a backpacking trip, I somewhat whimsically decided I had to check out Northern Ireland. The Troubles raged through the province. I took the train from Dublin to Belfast and stayed at Queens University for several days while I took buses and trains into the countryside. The place had a distinctly non-touristy feel. I've followed the area's politics with interest since then.
The new killings of soldiers and police are alarming, after a decade of peace, more or less. If the Irish Republic Army's splinter wing is beginning a terror campaign, I wonder if it will emulate Palestinian terror groups to retool its imagery and messaging. Analysts have seen links between the groups, but as I recall, the IRA never really won the hearts of left-wing loons, like the PLO and its successors have. This time around, I bet the IRA could score major points with progressives by a few simple tweaks of its communications strategy. Let's call in Operation Erin Go Gaza.
First, the IRA can piggyback on the Palestinian message of colonialism and dispossession (I'm not arguing historical truth or justice here, just how the group can score brownie points). They can say Perfidious Albion threw the Catholic natives from their land and imposed an imperialist occupying force, with the Orangemen in the role of the evviiiilllll Zionists.
What's changed in the past decade is the presence of militant Islamists in the UK, forever raging against Her Majesty's Government. I would be they would enjoy forming stronger links with the IRA for actions of mutual benefit. By copying Islamic grievance language, the IRA could tie the British government up in knots and win the love of peace-loving groups everywhere who can never resist the siren song of any rebel group with a smooth line of blarney and an MTV-friendly revolutionary look. Who could resist a young, articulate IRA member resplendent in a shamrock-bedecked kaffiyah? It would be media magic, combining Irish charm and the world-wide (if world-wrong) solidarity of nutroots with Palestinians. The Islamists could riot in the streets in support of the IRA and Her Majesty's Government would be severely checked.
My prediction: While Shakespearians will want to beware the Ides of March, the rest of us should watch out for March 17, St. Patrick's Day, at least in London and Belfast. The way the tide is running, it could be a blood-red Day of Green.
Van | 03/10/09 at 09:57 PM | Categories: WWIV
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Comments
Maybe once it gets to be advantageous to shopping, as the Ulster/Dublin republics separation have become, there will be an opportunity for progress.
Michael | March 14, 2009 06:55 PM
Many of the Protestant settlers are of Scottish descent. In other words, their remote ancestors originally came from Ireland and they merely returned.
Joseph Hertzlinger ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.keshertalk.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| March 16, 2009 12:20 AM
