Alan Shatter: Palestine ‘cult’ endangers future of Irish Jews

Former Irish minister Alan Shatter tells The Times of Israel that a pro-Palestine 'cult' has taken over Irish politics and society, endangering the future of Irish Jews. He says Sinn Fein 'contaminated' Irish politics by centering the Palestinian cause, and that many Jews now question whether they have a future in the country due to daily online abuse and a toxic environment around Israel.

In this week's episode of The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus podcast, host Lazar Berman speaks with Alan Shatter, a leading Jewish figure in Ireland and former justice and defense minister. Shatter argues that a pro-Palestine 'cult' has taken over Irish politics and society, endangering the future of Irish Jews. He traces the roots of this hostility to the Provisional IRA's deep ties with Palestinian terrorists, and says Sinn Fein 'contaminated' Irish politics by putting the Palestinian cause front and center. The obsessive focus has spread from politics across Irish society, Shatter says, and now trade unions, teachers, artists, and athletes have significant pro-Palestinian movements. He points to the recent uproar over a soccer match against Israel as a new 'level of complete and utter absurdity.' Shatter says many Jews are now asking whether they have a future in the country as they face daily abuse online and a toxic environment around Israel. 'There's a deep problem here,' Shatter said. 'It's one the government refuses to recognize. It's one the government is contributing to.'