Tomás Ó Flatharta

Looking at Things from the Left

Archive for the ‘Gaza’ Category

“We join with President Catherine Connolly in welcoming President Zelenskyy to Ireland today”

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President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Ireland on December 2 and 3 2025.

Irish Left With Ukraine stated :

We join with President Catherine Connolly in welcoming President Zelenskyy to Ireland today – Irish Left With Ukraine

This approach is shared by the leader of the Irish Labour party, Ivana Bacik :

” It will be an honour to stand with my Labour colleagues later today and welcome President Zelensky, and his wife Olena, to our national parliament.

In the face of ongoing aggression by Russia, the Ukrainian people continue to display immense bravery and resilience. We are now nearly four years into this war, a war that has shattered lives, displaced families and fundamentally changed the political landscape in Europe.The Ukrainian cause and the Ukrainian people cannot be abandoned. Labour will continue to voice our support for a free, sovereign and democratic Ukraine, taking its rightful place in the European Union. Like with Palestine, the history books will remember those who stood on the right side of history in this conflict, those who supported the Ukrainian people.”

Welcoming a leader of an oppressed invaded nation does not mean agreement with that leader’s policies. This is a no-brainer.

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“Ukraine also knows artificial famine” — Kyiv rally in solidarity with Gaza

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Oppressed nations, including Ireland, which have experienced genocide and artificial famine, need to show solidarity with 21st century victims.

This anti-genocide action took place in Kyiv, Ukraine. Thanks to Andrei Movchan for a report dated August 17 2025.

“Ukraine also knows artificial famine” — Kyiv rally in solidarity with Gaza

Left-wing activists held a solidarity rally in Kyiv for the residents of Gaza who are suffering from famine, which has been highlighted by international human rights organizations. The event took place in a symbolic location, in front of the museum dedicated to the victims of the artificial famine in Ukraine, the Holodomor of 1932-1933. Protesters called on European governments to put pressure on Israel to immediately resolve the humanitarian crisis.

Ukrainian activists cite UN data according to which 500,000 people — about a third of the population of the Gaza Strip — have not received food for several days. More than 200 people have already died of starvation, more than 100 of whom are children. International organizations, including the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Food Programme (WFP), blame the Israeli government for the humanitarian disaster, as it is preventing aid from reaching the civilian population of Gaza.

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Rod Stewart Sails Away from Our Values – Farage Support Betrays Celtic – Racist at Glastonbury

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The singer Rod Stewart has racist far-right form. 50 years ago he publicly supported the vile right-wing racist ideas of Conservative Westminster MP Enoch Powell. Everyone makes mistakes : this rocker has had plenty of time to reverse course. He has not changed. Stewart is a prominent supporter of the Glasgow soccer club Celtic, which has strong anti-racist, anti-imperialist, and inclusive values.

Celtic fan Andy Muirhead declares :

his recent endorsement of Nigel Farage and Reform UK isn’t just a wrong turn; it’s a direct slap in the face to everything Celtic stands for

Rod Stewart has sailed away from our values – Farage support betrays Celtic

Link :

Andy Muirhead

Every time Rod Stewart opens his mouth about politics, it makes me sick that this ageing rocker has anything to do with our club. For years, he’s cultivated this image as a true Celtic fan, draped in the green and white, belting out club anthems, soaking up the adulation. Certain fans in our support love it, the club’s hierarchy definitely love it, and the media just can’t help themselves when they catch him on camera.

But his recent endorsement of Nigel Farage and Reform UK isn’t just a wrong turn; it’s a direct slap in the face to everything Celtic stands for. It’s proof that this ageing rocker doesn’t get our club, and that his supposed love for Celtic is nothing more than a convenient, money-making facade.

Let’s be clear: Celtic Football Club was founded by Brother Walfrid to alleviate poverty among Glasgow’s Irish immigrant community. Its very soul is rooted in charity, social justice, and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity. We are a club open to all, regardless of race, religion, or background. Our history is one of solidarity with the oppressed, a beacon of hope in challenging times. This ethos, this fundamental decency, is what makes Celtic “A Club Like No Other.”

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Keir Starmer’s crazy comment about pro Palestine Kneecap playing at Glastonbury – ex taoiseach Leo Varadkar raps British PM’s loony statement

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Irish Rap performers Kneecap are booked to play at a huge music festival in Glastonbury, but British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer thinks that’s not “appropriate”. Starmer’s crazy comment is so off-the-wall that ex Irish taoiseach (prime minister) the ultra-conservative Leo Varadkar (Fine Gael), thought it was a gag.

Irish Times news report :

“Kneecap’s official Instagram page shared a screenshot of the article containing Mr Starmer’s comments, stating that “arming a fu*king genocide” was what’s “not appropriate”.

In a comment underneath the post, Mr Varadkar said he had thought the comment from Mr Starmer was a “gag”.

“[I] no longer hold office nor have any mandate so my views don’t count for so much anymore. I get that. But I really thought this was some sort of gag. It’s the role of artists to be avant garde, inappropriate, challenging, disruptive – from James Joyce to Sex Pistols and Playboy,” he said.”

See also at this link :


Starmer claims Kneecap Glastonbury set “not appropriate”

The Issue is Genocide in Palestine

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“I recently got a cancer diagnosis” – Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD | Today with Claire Byrne – RTÉ Radio 1

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Very best wishes to Richard Boyd-Barrett TD (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit) who has publicly broadcast information about his serious cancer diagnosis. He has throat cancer and is dropping out of public life for a few months. Doctors have removed Richard’s tonsils, and he will shortly begin intensive treatment, including radio and chemo therapy. The medical verdict is that Richard has an 8 out of 10 chance of recovery. All the details are in an RTÉ Radio 1 interview broadcast on April 7 2025 – a link is below). An Irish Times newspaper report follows.

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Trump backs Putin against Ukraine. History turns darker – Simon Pirani

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The Trump-Putin anti-Ukraine alliance is a signal to the left everywhere – we are at a fork in the road :

The good road : The Pro-Ukraine Left

The bad road : The anti-Ukraine Left

What does the pro-Ukraine Left look like? What do we do? – Read on.

Link :
Trump Backs Putin Against Ukraine – History Turns Darker

Trump backs Putin against Ukraine. History turns darker

How bad can it get? When we strip away US president Donald Trump’s insults and temper fits, what can he actually do?

First, he can withdraw US military aid to Ukraine – which he has been talking about doing since long before the US presidential election. If the European states got their act together, which is possible, the effects of this would be constrained.

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Campaigners ask President Higgins to keep Dáil in situ – Israel’s Illegal Settlements and an Occupied Territories Bill

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https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/1108/1479764-higgins-dail-campaigners/

It is hard to know if President Higgins has the power to force the Dáil to continue to meet against the wishes of taoiseach Simon Harris – but this request is certainly justified morally.

President Michael D Higgins has been asked not to dissolve the Dail later today, by campaigners who want the Occupied Territories Bill to be passed by the Oireachtas.

The bill would ban trade between Ireland and Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

It is expected that Taoiseach Simon Harris will make the request for a dissolution this afternoon.

However, in a letter sent to Áras an Uachtaráin by the Mothers Against Genocide group, President Higgins has been asked to use his presidential powers to keep the Dáil in situ.

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USA President Genocide Joe Biden

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What public figure do you disagree with the most?

Genocide Joe Biden has the blood of thousands of innocent Gazans on his hands.

Sally Rooney: Killing in Gaza has been supported by Ireland’s ‘good friend’ in the White House

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Sally Rooney: Killing in Gaza has been supported by Ireland’s ‘good friend’ in the White House

Our Government is basking in the moral glow of condemning the bombers, while preserving a cosy relationship with those supplying the bombs

Source :

Sally Rooney – Palestine

“The cries of the innocent will haunt us forever if we stay silent.” These are the words of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, speaking at an event in Boston this week about Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza. And who could disagree? What is taking place in Palestine now is one of the most profound and shocking moral catastrophes of our time.

Already for months on end, Israeli military forces have been pounding the besieged, starving and largely homeless population of Gaza with relentless aerial bombardment. Cut off from the outside world, Palestinian survivors have been forced to document the crisis in real time, sharing stories, images and footage of mass graves, destroyed buildings and abandoned bodies. And with no end in sight, the United States continues to pump money and weapons into Israel to prolong the onslaught.

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“IF YOU CAN’T SAY NO TO THE WHITE HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF A GENOCIDE – THEN YOU’D NEVER BE ABLE TO STAND UP – NOT EVEN FOR IRELAND.”  Poster, Belfast Pro-Palestine Demonstration

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An interesting political coalition is assembling in Ireland, the USA, and elsewhere calling on public representatives to boycott USA President Joe Biden’s annual White House Patrick’s Day celebration in 2024. As Bernadette McAliskey says :

Colum Eastwood’s decision to absent himself and SDLP from ‘rocking the sham’ in the White House is very welcome.
The Irish government parties and Sinn Féin might want to reconsider their positions.

Bernadette McAliskey, Impartial Reporter, February 9 2024

A Pro-Palestine activist, Art Ó Laoghaire, has sent the following message to several Irish public representatives :

Do you believe that Israel is justified in its military campaign in Gaza, and that the US should continue to supply weapons to them?
The last four months has seen more than 27,000 people killed in Gaza, including 10,000 children, and more than 60,000 wounded.
South Africa believes Israel is guilty of genocide.
Amnesty says today that Israel is committing war crimes.
And António Guterres said that the people of there don’t have enough to eat, while Israel continues to block food supplies.

Yet today Joe Biden has asked Congress for billions of dollars to continue to supply arms.

How can you in all honesty go to Washington for St Patrick’s Day to enjoy Biden’s hospitality, while he continues to facilitate this carnage?
Some may claim that face-to-face conversation gives them an opportunity to express Ireland’s views on the situation.
But this is absurd. Biden knows our views. It would say much more to him if his celebrations were boycotted.
It would also be a message to the Irish American voters he is trying to canvas.

If you have any moral principles you will stand by the Palestinians and refuse to join in Biden’s re-election party.

Art Ó Laoghaire

Bernadette McAliskey’s Article :

Sharing thoughts on Northern Ireland politics and American policy

Bernadette McAliskey, Impartial Reporter, February 9 2024

Thank You, Mr. Eastwood.

Colum Eastwood’s decision to absent himself and SDLP from ‘rocking the sham’ in the White House is very welcome.

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