Yousef M. Aljamal – Gaza

On May 15, 2016 The Center for Political and Development Studies in Gaza, Palestine, hosted Irish TD (Member of Parliament) Richard Boyd Barrett, well-known for a powerful video that went viral on social media.

The video sees Boyd Barrett calling for the expulsion of Israeli ambassador to Ireland, Boaz Modai, following the Israeli offensive on Gaza in 2014. He stressed that the Palestinian people’s struggle for freedom is similar to that of Ireland, adding that Britain has played a major role in dividing both countries. He continued that, “the Palestinian has a strong presence in Ireland where even officials call for boycotting Israel.”

“From my personal point of view, Israel is not a normal state and it should not be treated as such. Israel is a racist state. The state should be called the state of Palestine in which Muslims, Christians, Jews and people with no religion should live,” said the Irish TD

Commenting on the future solution to the conflict in the region, he explained, “The solution should be based on one state, because the two state solution will be genocidal to the Palestinians. People should get involved in the Boycott movement against Israel and this is what we are doing in Ireland.”

Boyd Barrett hinted that his coalition will propose “a parliamentary BDS committee” to support the Palestinian people.

He concluded that most of the consequences following his parliamentary intervention against the Israeli ambassador were positive. “Even though the government has a good relationship with Israel, they don’t have enough confidence to criticize Palestine or its supporters,” he said.

Boyd Barrett concluded: “The EU should cut its economical and political relations with Israel.”

Gino Kenny, an Irish TD, who raised the Palestinian flag when elected to the Irish Parliament joined Boyd Barrett and emphasized his commitment to the Palestinian cause and his support to the Palestinian people. Kenny added that the Irish people would continue to support Palestine until Palestinians are free.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlac0Zebs1s

Many expressed their appreciation for the Irish MPs and their continuing support for Palestine, highlighting the similarities between the situation in Ireland and that of Palestine.

– Yousef M. Aljamal is the Palestine Chronicle Correspondent in the Gaza Strip.