Leiden University Student Repository

Page, Andrew (2018)

Loyal to Israel: Transnational solidarity with the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Master thesis | Middle Eastern Studies (MA)

The Ulster Loyalist community of Northern Ireland have long regarded themselves as a people besieged by Irish Republican ideology. While lacking international support, the Loyalists have formed a geographically and culturally unusual bond with the State of Israel. Loyalist support for Israel increased visibly during the 2002 Intifada and Loyalists continue to make declarations of support for Israel. Yet, the governing Likud Party in recent years has commemorated Zionist insurgents, who committed acts of terror against the British administration in the 1940s. The Israeli government’s actions have led to criticism from the Her Majesty’s British government, which the Loyalist community aims to stand alongside, to maintain the Union and prevent the triumph of Irish Republicanism. Despite British public support for Israel declining during the past few decades, Ulster Loyalist support for the Jewish State is believed to be one of the strongest in Europe.

Palestine Israel Ireland Conflict Solidarity Loyalists

Author

Page, Andrew

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

MA

Supervisors

Schonmann, Noa

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en