Daphne Anson: The Irish Eyes Not Smiling On Israel: Those of Old Anti-American Warhorse Michael D. Higgins

Eretz Israel is our unforgettable historic homeland...The Jews who will it shall achieve their State...And whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will redound mightily and beneficially to the good of all mankind. (Theodor Herzl, DerJudenstaat, 1896)

We offer peace and amity to all the neighbouring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. The State of Israel is ready to contribute its full share to the peaceful progress and development of the Middle East. (From Proclamation of the State of Israel, 5 Iyar 5708; 14 May 1948)

With a liberal democratic political system operating under the rule of law, a flourishing market economy producing technological innovation to the benefit of the wider world, and a population as educated and cultured as anywhere in Europe or North America, Israel is a normal Western country with a right to be treated as such in the community of nations.... For the global jihad, Israel may be the first objective. But it will not be the last. (Friends of Israel Initiative)

Tuesday, 1 November 2011

The Irish Eyes Not Smiling On Israel: Those of Old Anti-American Warhorse Michael D. Higgins

Michael D. Higgins, veteran Irish leftist politician and poet, who's now, unexpectedly, President of Eire, could never be mistaken for a warm supporter of Israel. (Be sure to look here, which is where I obtained this photo.) Known for his vehement criticism of the United States as well as of Israel, he first visited Gaza in the 1980s, and in 2004 paid a fulsome tribute to Arafat following the latter's death, attending a candlelit vigil organised by the Ireland-Palestine Soldarity Campaign. He objects to the description of Hamas as a "terrorist" organisation, and in 2007 shared a platform with Hezbollah.

Although his office is largely a ceremonial one, lacking real powers, he's obviously well-positioned to influence public opinion - in a country whose Palestine Solidarity movement is widely considered to be the most virulently anti-Israel in the entire British Isles.

The following speech that he delivered in the Irish Parliament in June 2010, in which he condemns Operation Cast Lead, asserts that he's "sick and tired" of hearing that supplies are getting into Gaza, abhors the proscription of Hamas, and rails against Israel's attack on the Mavi Marmara, captures something of his attitude - albeit in a deceptively low-key way. He is good enough (unlike some of Israel's leftist detractors) to denounce rocket attacks on Sderot - but his voice becomes unmistakably ever more indignant against Israel as the speech proceeds.

16 comments:

SteveR1 November 2011 at 03:09
I see you have him in front of a poster of the wall in Israel and he calls it an "Apartheid wall". Very interesting, so what does this Leprechaun look-a-like call all the various seperation walls in Belfast and LONDONderry ?
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Juniper in the Desert1 November 2011 at 03:24
Worse than the old IRA warhorse!! :(( Still he may kick the bucket soon by the looks of his hate-filled face!!
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Daphne Anson1 November 2011 at 03:40
Good question, Steve - but of course those walls were erected by Britain and the poster is the Palestine Soldarity Campaign's.
Somebody did say to me that he doesn't look fighting fit, Juniper. I think his snowy hair makes him look rather older than his years.
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Shirl in Oz1 November 2011 at 07:21
By the looks of the packed Chamber, it doesn't appear too many were interested !!!!
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Daphne Anson1 November 2011 at 08:00
Perhaps his views were so predictable that they went to have their supper!
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Skipping Girl1 November 2011 at 11:55
I have a great sticker on my car which says if you had (picture of smiling Arafat) as a neighbour You'd build a fence too.

Someone ripped off my last sticker which said "Don't
Fuck with Israel" If I ever catch who did it.....

As for this silly old bastard. I always thought the Irish were stupid.
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Shirl in Oz1 November 2011 at 17:03
Here you go

Michael Daniel Higgins, commonly known as Michael D. Higgins born 18 April 1941
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Daphne Anson1 November 2011 at 18:41
Very brave of you to have such a car sticker, SG. You're lucky the intolerant oiks don't dent the car.
Shirl, was there something you meant to add?
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Shirl in Oz1 November 2011 at 20:32
No Daphne. His age was being discussed that was all
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Daphne Anson1 November 2011 at 21:40
I realised the significance after I'd posted!
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Daphne Anson2 November 2011 at 05:01
This is good:

http://www.newenglishreview.org/blog_display.cfm/blog_id/38769
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Tim Johnston3 November 2011 at 01:48
Higgins does not represent me or many other Irish people who stand behind Israel. His election only reflects the desperately poor quality of the candidates available, and MDH won because of transfers, not first preference votes.
Although Ireland is arguably the most anti-Israel country in Europe it is due to their seeing the conflict through the prism of their own experience. We are not all like MDH.
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Daphne Anson3 November 2011 at 02:22
Thanks, Tim.
Higgins, as pro-Israel Irish blogger Mark Humphrys says, is surely the most anti-American and anti-Israel government head in the Western world at present.
http://markhumphrys.com/michael.d.higgins.html
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Mark Humphrys15 November 2011 at 20:39
Thanks for the link Daphne.
I've got more on Michael D. since last time you looked:
Michael D. Higgins
Michael D. Higgins - Anti-Israel
Michael D. Higgins - Anti-American
In particular, he had a Muslim Brotherhood linked cleric give an Islamic prayer at his inauguration. (See bottom of 2nd page above.)
Wouldn't it be great if I lived in an Ireland where the media asked the President about things like that?
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Daphne Anson15 November 2011 at 21:52
Good gracious, Mark! I will check that out ...
Thanks for telling me.
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Anonymous2 March 2012 at 06:46
so proud to be Irish and listen to the President of my country speak the truth. FREEDOM FOR PALESTINE. LIAM
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The division of Judea and Samaria (West Bank) into three separate areas “A”, “B” and “C” was agreed on by Israel and the PLO pursuant to the Oslo Accords.
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