Spain and Ireland: A Postcolonial Stand Against European Complicity in Israeli Policies
TL/DR –
Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia have recognized the State of Palestine and adopted strong diplomatic language against Israel, with the author suggesting this reflects their own histories of colonialism and oppression rather than a awakening of human rights consciousness. Ireland, in particular, sees parallels between its own history of British colonialism and forced displacement, and the current situation in Gaza. Spain, shaped by its experiences with the Franco dictatorship and its own imperial past, echoes these views and uses events at the Al-Asqa Mosque and in Gaza to critique the protection Europe extends to Israel.
Spain and Ireland’s Postcolonial Uprising and Recognition of Palestine
Germany’s established stance and Britain’s architectural imperialism unify the current dilemma. The emerging European divide stems not from the heart but the historical and geographical “edges.” Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia’s recognition of the Palestine State, paired with severe modern European diplomatic language against Israel, indicates more than a newfound humanitarian consciousness.
Carrying the scars of British colonialism and displacement, Ireland’s European rebellion is deeply rooted in Britain’s imperial legacy. The Dublin government sees the colonial geopolitical order, enforced and maintained by Britain, mirrored in Gaza. Consequently, the Irish interpretation of Gaza is based on the recognition of a new-age embodiment of 19th-century colonial logic — a displaced populace under occupation.
Different from Ireland, Spain’s political landscape is molded by its response to the Franco dictatorship aftermath, the civil war, and its imperial history. This shapes Spain’s global influence as a dominating voice from the periphery. In light of this, the Madrid administration views events at the Al-Aqsa Mosque or in Gaza as opportunities to bring light to the biased protection Europe offers Israel.
According to Rothberg, these countries are operating the “Multidirectional Memory” mechanism. They acknowledge the Holocaust while objecting to its use as a shield for today’s colonial violence, apartheid regimes, demographic manipulation, and the Gaza massacre.
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