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An activist from Mothers Against Genocide at a protest in Belfast. Photo by Darren Kidd, Press Eye
Thig leat an tuairisc ó Meon Eile a léamh anseo
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Palestine solidarity groups in Northern Ireland have called for urgent action following a United Nations report that found Israel’s military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide.
The report, released yesterday by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, cited widespread civilian deaths, the targeting of hospitals and infrastructure, deprivation of food and water, and inflammatory rhetoric from Israeli officials.
It said that children were directly and intentionally targeted, including along evacuation routes and within designated safe areas:
“Israeli security forces shot at and killed civilians, including children who were holding makeshift white flags. Some children, including toddlers, were shot in the head by snipers.”
The UN findings echo earlier warnings by human rights organisations in Palestine, Israel, and the US.
Amnesty International has accused the UK government of “genocide denial” and warned it could be complicit in war crimes if arms exports to Israel continue.
Declaring that “a genocide appears to be unfolding in Gaza”, the Scottish Government announced a freeze on public funding for arms companies linked to Israel earlier this month.
In Northern Ireland, the Department for the Economy and Invest NI have come under continued pressure over their financial support for companies involved in arms manufacturing.
Campaigners have criticised Invest NI for awarding millions in grants to firms producing components for the F-35 fighter jet, described as “instrumental” in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
The UK manufactures around 15% of each jet. While direct exports to Israel were banned in September 2024, indirect sales continue via the US and other countries.
Andrew Comiskey. Photo by Luke Butterly, The Detail
'Weapons of war'
Andrew Comiskey (32), from Armagh and a member of campaign group Cairde Palestine, said public money should not be supporting companies contributing to the war.
"There has been a real lack of transparency from the government on this issue,” he said.
“That’s why a member of Cairde Palestine has brought a judicial review against Invest NI, to see clarity on this issue and to potentially get that money back.”
“Invest NI was created at the end of the Troubles, as part of the Good Friday Agreement, to create a peacetime economy in this place,” he added. “So why are we investing in weapons of war?”
Mr Comiskey, a former corporate lawyer, said that activism was a way to cope with the helplessness many feel watching the war in Gaza.
“There is somewhere to put the energy. There are things that are meaningful, that we can work on, and that's what we're doing.”
“Invest NI are investing in companies that are producing components for F-35s. We are almost sure they are going to Gaza,” he said.
“If our government wasn't investing in these companies, there would be less money for them to do this business.”
Stormont officials have repeatedly stated that they don’t fund projects that supply Israel.
However, following questions in the Assembly, the Department announced a review earlier this year.
“The review is being finalised, and the findings will be made public shortly,” a spokesman said.
“The Minister has also asked officials for analysis of recent developments in Scotland.”
Airport
Campaigners have also protested against the use of Belfast International Airport by the US military.
The US is Israel's biggest military supplier, providing an estimated 68% of their foreign-sourced weapons.
Colette Ansell, a military veteran originally from Bedfordshire, has been attending monthly vigils at the airport since March 2024.
She said public reactions range from heckling to passengers joining in.
“We’ve had people nearly miss their flights to join the vigil,” she said. “It’s always unexpected, but so appreciated.”
While Belfast is used less frequently than Shannon Airport, US military flights regularly land en route to overseas bases, including in Israel.
Over 60 military flights landed at Belfast between October 2023 and December 2024, according to The Irish News.
Many have flown on to major US bases in Germany and Qatar.
Israeli media reported an “unprecedented” US airlift of munitions to Israel via these bases since 7 October 2023.
Tracked aircraft at Belfast include the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, which can carry large cargo such as helicopters or tanks.
Other flights have gone to eastern Poland, likely carrying weapons bound for Ukraine.
Ms Ansell, a member of Veterans for Peace Ireland, has spent the past year tracking US military flights to Belfast.
A former lorry driver in the Territorial Army, she said grew up in a family of lorry drivers and logisticians, surrounded by RAF and military bases.
“I'm not saying I'm an expert, and I do learn on the job. I do an awful lot of research and to get as much data the whole month so that we can understand patterns of movement.”
“It depends what is happening in the world, what is happening politically. There are peaks and troughs.”
She said her military background differs from others at the Belfast protests.
“But the fact that we can come here and everybody looks out for each other, that is so, so important.”
“Activism can feel so lonely sometimes, and certainly if I'm only sat behind a computer tracking flights, it’s nice to know that somebody's got my back when I need them.”
Video and additional reporting by Eilís Nic Lochlainn