We are all Palestinians

As I write this week’s column all of the scéal coming from the Israeli government and its international allies indicate that a ground invasion of Gaza is imminent. It will, according to some be a ‘surgical strike against Hamas’. From British government Ministers, to political pundits, to international allies of the Israeli government, to Israeli spokespersons the aim – they say - is to destroy Hamas.

It’s all nonsense of course. The reality is that Israel can no more destroy Hamas than Hamas can destroy Israel.

Peacemakers

30 years ago on Monday an IRA bomb exploded on the Shankill Road killing nine people and IRA Volunteer Thomas Begley. It was a shocking event compounded a week later when eight people were shot dead in Greysteel. These were two of many atrocities which occurred during a quarter century of conflict in the North. Their impact on families and communities reverberates still today, as do the more than 3,000 other deaths and the thousands of injuries that resulted from those desperate years. The families of the dead and the injured have lived with the consequences ever since. 

Today we are in a much better place. Not least because many of those who suffered directly from the violence became peacemakers. Citizens willing to step beyond their own personal tragedies and provide support and comfort to the bereaved and injured and to become advocates for peace and for justice.  We are mindful of their loss and grateful for their courage and dedication in breaking down barriers. Alan McBride - who lost his wife Sharon and her father Desmond in the IRA bomb - is one such person. He is an example to the rest of us, including this columnist. 

Tír Chonaill Thuaidh 

Bhuail mé le spéirbhean 

Ar bharr portaigh

I measc na sléibhte 

I dTír Chonaill Thuaidh.