Standing with Ireland’s Jewish Community: A Call for True Irish Patriotism

In the quiet dignity of a Dublin synagogue, members of Ireland’s small Jewish community gathered to mourn the victims of the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre in Israel—the deadliest single-day attack on Jews since the Holocaust. An eyewitness account from an attendee describes a solemn memorial marked by heavy security, the Israeli national anthem performed live, and video footage from the attacked kibbutzim. This private gathering, held amid heightened fears, stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience of Irish Jews and the urgent need for genuine solidarity from their fellow citizens.

Security Reality in Ireland’s Synagogues

According to the attendee, the synagogue was surrounded by close to 10 Gardaí—the most visible police presence many had ever seen at a religious site in Ireland. Entry required ID checks, name-list verification, and a ban on bags. “That is how insane things are getting here,” the attendee observed, linking the measures to broader tensions rather than any fault of the security personnel themselves.

This matches reports from Chief Rabbi of Ireland Yoni Wieder. Public events were avoided due to “the possibility of somebody seeking to cause actual physical harm.” Jewish communities in Ireland, numbering around 2,200 according to the 2022 census (with roughly 1,500 in Dublin), have lived with elevated security concerns since October 7. The community has reported living in constant fear of attacks—an unacceptable situation in the Irish Republic.

Large-scale protests have marked the anniversaries. On 10 October 2026, more than 10,000 people marched in Dublin in a national demonstration organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Multiple smaller events and vigils have also taken place around the date. The attendee noted that “there was 10,000 people marching for jihad yesterday, and there was 12 protests on the actual days of 7/10,” and claimed the Palestinian Embassy website had advertised such events when last checked.

Palestine Action-linked and related protests have escalated beyond marches. In early October 2025, a breakaway group of roughly 150 pro-Palestine protesters from an Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign demonstration attempted to force their way toward Dublin Port / the Port Tunnel in the East Wall area. They linked arms and repeatedly pushed against a Garda cordon that included the Public Order Unit. Gardaí reported missiles thrown at their lines; pepper spray and batons were deployed. One protester suffered a broken wrist after being pushed to the ground. These confrontations illustrate the willingness of some activists to physically challenge Garda lines at critical infrastructure.

A Moment of Shared Remembrance

Those present stood for the Israeli national anthem, performed live by a singer and guitarist—described as “very beautiful.” Videos from the kibbutzim attacked on October 7 were shown. A relative of the current President of Israel was among those attending. Speakers and formal programme details beyond the traditional memorial prayer and a reflection on the victims were not publicly listed, consistent with the private nature of the event due to security.

The attendee captured a deeper sorrow: the forced separation between ordinary Irish people and the Irish Jewish community. “Ireland is our native homeland. We should be free to mingle and socialise with Jews if that’s what people want, security permitted. But those security issues should not exist in the first place.”

Intimidation, Political Pressure, and the Record of Key Figures

The account also highlighted recent pressure on Irish athletes. The Irish Wheelchair Association women’s wheelchair basketball team is scheduled to face Israel in the European Championship Division B in Switzerland. After public criticism, including from Sinn Féin Senator Chris Andrews, team members planned to bow their heads during the Israeli anthem and wear black armbands—mirroring actions by the Republic of Ireland football team in matches against Israel. The attendee described this as the result of “a long campaign of intimidation” that forces ordinary Irish people, including those with disabilities, into racist political gestures many have not deeply researched.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Féin Senator) has a long record of direct involvement in Gaza flotillas aimed at challenging Israel’s naval blockade. He participated in a 2008 flotilla that reached Gaza, was prevented from joining the 2010 effort, was detained and deported after the 2011 MV Saoirse attempt, and took part in the 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla (also intercepted). These repeated actions place him at the centre of sustained political confrontation with Israel, far removed from the daily concerns of most Irish citizens.

Ógra Shinn Féin, the party’s youth wing, posted immediate solidarity statements with Palestine on 7 October 2023 itself, without condemning the Hamas attacks on civilians. One post was widely criticised at the time as appearing to celebrate or endorse the violence. People Before Profit went further: a Dublin candidate publicly declared “Palestinian resistance is beautiful, it’s inspiring and it’s legitimate,” while the organisation’s official framing spoke of “solidarity with the Palestinian resistance” and has rejected the EU designation of Hamas as a terrorist group in some materials. These positions, issued in the immediate aftermath of the massacre of 1,200 people (mostly civilians), form part of the political climate the Irish Jewish community must navigate.

Irish Jews Belong Here

Ireland’s Jewish community has deep roots. Many contributed to the independence struggle and the building of the State. Rabbi Isaac Herzog, grandfather of current Israeli President Isaac Herzog, served as Chief Rabbi of Ireland and was known as the “Sinn Féin Rabbi” for his support of Irish nationalism. Irish Jews are Irish. They share this island’s history, culture, and future.

The Star of David and the Irish harp belong together. True patriotism rejects the intimidation that forces a tiny minority to worship under police guard and prevents open cultural, sporting, and social exchange. It rejects campaigns that pressure disabled athletes into symbolic acts of disrespect. It rejects political voices that framed the October 7 massacre as “resistance” or “beautiful.” And it rejects any climate in which Gardaí must confront physical pushes against cordons at Dublin Port simply to keep critical infrastructure secure.

Irish patriots should actively support the local Jewish community. Stand with them at memorials. Defend their right to security and free association. Reject the climate of fear that has made a simple act of mourning require near-military precautions.

As the attendee put it: “I personally will always stand with the Irish Jewish community.” That is the Irish way—loyalty to neighbours, defence of the vulnerable, and refusal to let imported hatreds divide our people. Ireland’s Jews are home. Let us treat them as such.