[Opinion Notice]
Before you read this article, please note this is a wider opinion, which you may find offensive or disagree with. Having opinions is a human right, and open adult conversation — without violence or hate — is the way forward.
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Across Fermanagh, new Palestine-support groups and social media pages are emerging. With organised walks and public demonstrations now being promoted, questions are being asked about what is driving this sudden surge — and whether the message is as balanced as it claims to be.
Overview
In recent weeks, new Facebook pages have appeared promoting support for Palestine, with events such as a “Walk for Gaza” being organised. Many say they are standing against genocide and calling for peace, but there is concern that these groups seem to ignore other global atrocities and appear selective in their outrage. This has raised deeper questions about whether this movement is about humanitarianism — or about politics.
Opinion
When you look into these new groups, one thing stands out: silence.
Silence on what happened on October 7th.
Silence on the actions of Hamas against their own people.
Silence on women’s rights, religious freedom, and LGBT rights in Gaza.
And silence on the ceasefire that ended the fighting — a ceasefire that, notably, was brokered by Donald Trump. Why does no one mention that?
They say they stand against genocide, yet there are ongoing genocides across Africa that receive no attention.
Why is there no outrage for Africa?
If this movement is about human rights, why is the concern so selective?
Some of these new pages use language like “direct action”, which is strong wording. We’ve all seen what “direct action” can mean in other parts of the UK — sometimes it means pressure on businesses, protests at shops, or targeting anyone who doesn’t share the same view. Will that start happening here in Fermanagh?
And while these groups march and post online, not one of them has mentioned the fact that Israel fully withdrew from Gaza back in 2005, when there was a real chance for peace. Within two years, Hamas took control and that peace was gone — but no one here seems to remember that part.
So it’s fair to ask: is this about peace, or about picking sides?
The bigger issue, though, might not be the protests themselves — people have the right to protest, and that right must always be protected. The real concern is what’s happening quietly in the background: ordinary people starting to feel like they can’t say what they think.
That they’ll be shouted down, labelled, or ostracised if they question the popular view.
Free speech isn’t disappearing someday — it’s already being chilled right now. People are lowering their voices, self-censoring, and avoiding certain topics because they fear backlash. That is not what peace or tolerance looks like.
As a community, Fermanagh should be a place where people can disagree, debate, and even argue — without fear. Because peace is not when everyone agrees. It’s when we can respect our disagreements and still play in the sandbox together.
As pro-Palestinian activism continues to grow in Fermanagh, the question isn’t just about politics or foreign policy — it’s about how we treat each other here at home. Can we still speak freely, challenge selective outrage, and have open conversations without fear of being silenced?
Note
│ This article reflects an opinion based on publicly available information at the time of publishing. No claims or false information have been knowingly provided.
