In 2004, John Francis Mulligan, a US-born Irish citizen, found himself in the West Bank during a time of conflict when a stranger asked him to accompany her to a funeral. The situation was tense as Palestinians were not allowed out on the streets due to a curfew imposed by the Israeli armed forces. The deceased man’s family needed to bury him quickly, but they risked being fired upon if they left their home. The mother of the deceased asked Mulligan to stand with their family during the funeral procession because they believed he would not be targeted due to his ethnicity. This experience reminded Mulligan of the political funerals he attended during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, where similar tensions were present.
Now, Mulligan, along with other Irish Americans, are coming together to show support for Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict. While leaders from Ireland are meeting with President Biden, there is discontent among both Irish and Irish American communities over Biden’s support for the war on Gaza. Many Irish Americans, drawing on their own history of colonial oppression, see parallels between the situation in Palestine and their own struggles in Ireland.
The support for Palestine among Irish Americans has grown rapidly, with a network forming to advocate for peace in Gaza. Irish Americans have a history of supporting Palestine, and recent events have only strengthened this sentiment. Protests and demonstrations are planned across several states leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, traditionally a time when Irish American sentiment is heightened.
As the election approaches, Irish Americans who are unhappy with Biden’s stance on Gaza are planning to make their voices heard, not just in protests, but also at the polls. While some, like Brian O’Dwyer, remain supportive of Biden’s position, others, like Mulligan and McCann, express disappointment and plan to show their discontent with their vote. The Irish American community’s stance on this issue is evolving, and it may have an impact on the upcoming election.