Ireland: the word “paddystinian” becomes a symbol of support for Palestine

In Ireland, a word invented to mock Pro-Palestinian solidarity turned into a real militant standard. The term “” “Paddystinian“” “mixture of Paddy – sometimes pejorative nickname used to designate the Irish – and Palestinianwas originally used by supporters of Israel to ridicule the Irish commitment to the Palestinian cause.

But far from being insulted, many Irish have decided to appropriate the term and claim it with pride. T-shirts, badges, bios on social networks: the word flowers in demonstrations, on Tiktok and in solidarity campaigns. “It is very Irish to return an insult to those who use it,” explains Ross McGann, a content creator who uses the word in his videos to denounce the attacks against Gaza.

Beyond the symbol, the “paddystinians” want to push their government to pass words to acts: prohibiting trade with the Israeli colonies, blocking sales of Israeli obligations in Europe, and restricting the use of Irish air space by military flights to Israel. For Izzeddeen Alkarajeh, Palestinian restaurateur in Cork, this reappropriation is a strong sign: “It is a fine example of cultural resistance. The word, initially mocking, becomes a mobilization tool. »»

The Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, salutes this growing solidarity: “Irish and Palestinians share a history of colonization. They understand what freedom, justice and human rights mean. While the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, Irish militants hope to put their state to put a driving role in Europe, and transforms this popular solidarity into concrete political change.