Baile Jerúsalem

Images captured on Canon G7x Mark ii

Over 300 Irish Muslims gathered outside the US Embassy in Ballsbridge on Saturday December 9th to demonstrate against U.S. President Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The decision is one that has been condemned by world officials and has brought great despair to the Arab community, including those who reside in Ireland.

On the morning of December 6th, U.S. officials confirmed to the global community that President Donald Trump was on the brink of jeopardising decades of tender diplomatic relations in the Middle East. On December 7th, the 45th U.S. President announced his office’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The paranoid and restless trinity between Israel, Palestine and the United States has forever been one of great fascination and scrutiny from spectators in every corner of the earth. Only those who dwell under rocks are unfamiliar with the ongoing conflict that has plagued the ancient land, and to many – particularly those from a younger generation – represents little more than a place of war and death.

Despite continued support from groups such as the UN and EU – which many Palestinians and sympathisers view as purely artificial – the US has been a long term supporter and ally of the Jewish state of Israel.

Amid the clear global support for Palestinians – as seen by the UN majority to abstain Trump’s decision – Ireland has consistently stood out from the crowd. Attributed mainly to Ireland’s century old battle for independence over a seemingly impermeable British empire, many Irish people express genuine empathy with Palestinians since conflict between them and Israel began. This was seen predominantly in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, when nationalists would fly the flag of Palestine and be met with Unionists flying that of Israel’s.

That empathy was prevalent on the doorstep of Ireland’s U.S. Embassy in Ballsbridge on what was one of the coldest December afternoons in years.

But this bitter weather did not deter to the 300+ Irish Muslims who turned out in what can only be described as a tipping point in frustration. But this demonstration was not like the others. In similar protests throughout recent years, the message was of condemnation for attacks on the Palestinian people by the Israeli military. But this was not a demonstration for the attacks on people – this was for what they felt was an attack on their heritage.

What was particularly striking about this group was the strength in numbers despite the lack of planning in advance.

Speaking to several of those who turned out, the consensus was that this was a culmination spread by word of mouth within the community. The gathering went so far under the radar that even the U.S. Embassy themselves were uncertain over whether the event would take place or not. On December 8th, the Embassy released a notice for staff and American citizens to be cautious on the 9th, as current affairs “may spark protests.”

Many of those who turned out were concerned over the lack of planning however, with some fearing an embarrassingly low turnout. Their fears were soon put to rest, as come three o’clock it became difficult for me to navigate through the crowds that occupied the relatively small but busy corner on Elgin road.

Of course I considered things may turn ugly at some point.  I was unfamiliar with reporting on scenarios like this, so I knew it was important to remain alert and vigilant. Any protest has the potential to turn south, but this is a topic that is routed in hate and conflict, so I anticipated tensions may rise.

It came as a pleasant surprise as there was not one moment in which I felt in any way uncomfortable or threatened. There was a distinct sense of anger present, of course, but it was an anger saturated in sorrow, despair and frustration – not violence or revenge.

I’m ashamed to say I was surprised by how welcomed I felt by the crowds. I had forgotten my lanyard and was unable to wear my press pass visibly, so for all anyone else knew I was just some random passer-by with a camera. I was not one of them, but I felt for them. There were people from North Africa, Turkey, Palestine and more. They felt they were being attacked, and their voices needed to be heard.

There was no opposition present at the demonstration, just as nobody came out of the U.S. embassy to engage with the protesters, and apart from Richard Boyd-Barrett, no other government officials turned up. There was one person of concern who lingered attentively around the peripheral of the crowds, but as it turned out he was a part of the Embassy’s security team.

I was also surprised to see a number of native Irish attendees, standing in solidarity with the Arab majority. Being the only government representative present Boyd Barrett took the opportunity to promote his political profile well amongst the crowds. He spoke alongside the leaders of the group, and was greeted with cheers and applause. He was liked by these people. Whether or not this support from the People Before Profit frontman was genuine sympathy or an attempt to strengthen his electoral popularity amongst the Irish-Arab community, his presence was much appreciated by those who felt abandoned by the Irish government.

Despite there not being a prominent organisation or group leading this rally, there was one individual whose combination of drive and charisma made him the native leader of the crowds. He was the one who held the megaphone the most, and when he did, the people stood in complete silence to listen. He was Abu Jihad, a Palestinian native who possessed the leadership skills capable of ensuring this gathering was run with passion and respect. The younger attendees, some of which took turns playing hopscotch on a photograph of Trump, listened to this man’s words with awe. He was respected, and he was respectful.

He was joined by several other speakers, including United Against Racism representative Memet Uludag, a Turkish native who condemned President Trump not only for his action against Palestinians, but as well as other minorities.

The mood was sincere, and turnout surprised even those who were a part of the movement. Almost every role and sector of society was represented; doctors, bankers, activists, lawyers, delivery drivers, students – all leading their own lives in Ireland, but coming together in opposition against what they took as a great attack on their community. Many of the younger generation of Irish-Arabs are born in Ireland and live their whole lives here, but that does not stop them joining their families and friends on days of such importance as this.

Being a white Irish man raised in a Christian orientated society, I was embarrassed to accept that the atmosphere was unexpected. There were moments between speeches and chanting that had I closed my eyes, I could have believed I was waiting in a shopping line during the Christmas sales rush in a Dublin shopping centre. As I shuffled through dense crowds in order to obtain a front row position, I overheard conversations that I was surprised to hear. Discussions about the current season of The Walking Dead between two young boys; grown men wondering whether Griezmann would join Man United or Barcelona; a woman planning her holiday to Australia.

I watched as mothers played games with their children. A teenage girl maintained her make-up as it met the edges of her hijab. Four men took time to pray on the grass. Even Uludag expressed his festive enthusiasm with a Christmas pudding styled beanie hat. All of these things occurred around me as the chants of “free, free, Palestine… The capital of Palestine is – Jerusalem.”

I am lucky enough to have made friends with several Irish Muslims throughout my youth, giving me the luxury of being able to see past complexion, religion and political views. But this luxury is a rare one, and I feel a growing international intolerance will stand in the way of their voices being heard.

There is no denying that the decade old Irish support for Palestinians and their allies has trickled down from a society submerged in conflict and hate into one of cooperation and acceptance. In the two hours the demonstration lasted, I lost track of how many cars passed by, blaring their horns in solidarity and support of the group.

It was disappointing to see the lack of media presence at the rally. Astonishingly, RTÉ broadcasted a report from an identical protest that occurred in Italy that day, and failed to acknowledge the one that occurred less than a 10 minute drive from their headquarters.

In any case, this was more than just a protest against Israel by the Palestinian contingent in Ireland. This was a movement of great passion and community by a group of people whose characteristics and interests are far from alien to our own.

At 16:05, the crowds had almost completely dispersed, leaving only myself, a couple of Gardaí, two of the demonstrators and the U.S. Embassy security man left. I observed a heartfelt conversation between Abu Jihad and the Garda station at the entrance to the Embassy. I didn’t hear the full extent of what was said, but Jihad was deeply thankful to the Garda for his cooperation and presence. There was a sizable Gardaí contingent on hand, but their shift was made easy by the complete lack of trouble that occurred.

Admittedly, I know less than I should about the history of Palestine and Israel. Because of this I have upheld a stern stance of neutrality on the conflict throughout my young life. From surrounding myself with these people for a relatively short period of time, I cannot help but admit that despite my best efforts to remain impartial, I felt a great deal of sympathy towards them. But with that said, I cannot help the feeling of concerning presumption that despite their best efforts, these calls for equality will go unanswered, as they have done for over half a century.

I suspect the conflict between these groups of people will never end, and their children – the only ones who are truly free from corruption – will never know peace.