September 4, 2006

BUT WAIT, WE ROMANTICIZE THE IRISH...:

Sinn Fein leader to meet Hamas officials in visit to Israel, PA (The Associated Press, 9/04/06)

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams announced plans Sunday for his first trip to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, including a visit with leaders of Hamas.

Adams, whose Irish Republican Army-linked party has grown in recent years to become the major representative of Northern Ireland's Catholic minority, said he hoped his visit Tuesday through Thursday would encourage compromise between Israel and Hamas.

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 4, 2006 6:47 PM
Comments

It will be an interesting test to see how Catholic Gerry really is, and how well his constituancy takes it, if he decides to cultivate close ties with some of the more fervent Islamists in the Middle East.

Posted by: John at September 4, 2006 10:09 PM

Even 10 years ago, this visit would have had one purpose - weapons. Or trouble.

The purpose today? Probably the same, but people in Europe won't want to consider it.

Posted by: jim hamlen at September 4, 2006 10:48 PM

The IRA-PLO connection goes way back.

(Though these days, it's possible that it's the IRA that wants the PLO's know-how instead of vice-versa.)

Posted by: Barry Meislin at September 5, 2006 3:46 AM

and through the USSR because both were Marxist--just one of the costs of the Cold War.

Posted by: oj at September 5, 2006 8:39 AM

OJ, while the Soviets undoubtedly patronized the IRA to hurt the Brits, the Provos were not the Marxists in the IRA.

Posted by: Chris Durnell at September 5, 2006 12:54 PM

Adams was/is.

Posted by: oj at September 5, 2006 1:19 PM

Try telling some professional Irish-Americans that the IRA collaborated with Nazis and the Arabs during WW2. Be sure to be behind a secure barrier first.

Posted by: erp at September 6, 2006 2:02 PM
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