"Kingdom of Hate": Hostility and Violence in Northern Ireland - Alongside Unexpected Support for Israel
i24NEWS correspondent Yonatan Rove documented tensions in Belfast surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where the camera crew was physically attacked by a local. Alongside this, open support for Israel was documented from Protestant loyalist residents, who waved Israeli flags and blamed Gaza for the war. The report also presents a local reconciliation dialogue.
In another episode of i24NEWS's "Kingdom of Hate" series, i24NEWS correspondent Yonatan Rove traveled with a camera crew to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to document local tensions against the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The city is divided between the Catholic community, which supports the Palestinians, and the Protestant loyalist community, which shows support for Israel. During the filming, tensions escalated into confrontations: a crew member was hit in the head with a bottle by a local resident and left bleeding, prompting the cameraman to call the police. Alongside the violence, the other side of the city was documented, where Protestant residents waved Israeli flags and expressed full support. One loyalist resident displayed Israeli flags he purchased on Amazon and blamed Gaza for the war: "What's happening in Gaza is Gaza's fault. They started the war." The report also notes a dialogue of reconciliation and forgiveness that has emerged in Belfast, successfully bridging historical divides.