Loughrey 7653409 - Words Without Deeds Are Empty: The Irish Government's Solidarity with Palestine

Abstract

The Irish government has been outspoken in their condemnation of Israel’s expanding occupation of Palestinian territories and have continued to support Palestine and its self-determination, often in opposition to larger states. The government’s emphasis on Ireland’s shared history and enduring solidarity with Palestine obscures a critical analysis of their response to Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. This thesis uses critical discourse analysis to understand how the Irish government constructs and strengthens their solidarity with Palestine. Adopting Alharbi’s five discursive practices of solidarity, this research finds that the government builds a persuasive act of solidarity. However, solidarity entails two types of support, (inter)personal and policy. Inconsistencies are evident between the solidarity the government constructs through its official statements and the action they take to strengthen and realise the solidarity expressed. The opposition, blocking and delay of legislation introduced in the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) to resolve this contradiction between the governments words and its actions, aligns with the theory that small states rely on multilateral organisations to implement their foreign policy. The government is reluctant to take unilateral action against Israel in the current divisive international system. This research raises questions regarding the strength and meaning of solidarity when it entails limited policy or institutionalisation.