What does the Irish tricolour flag now represent?

The Blessing of the Colours by John Lavery (public domain)

Something very odd happened at Nasrallah’s memorial on Saturday, February 23rd 2025. Amid a sea of people were quite a few flags. These were mainly representing Hizbollah, a terrorist organization. There were also a few Palestinian flags…and then one lone eccentric outlier – the flag of the Republic of Ireland.

Looking at a number of other panoramic photos online I failed to find any other flags representing democracies – such as the UK, the EU, or USA. There weren’t even any flags belonging to the typically fawned-upon fascist-like states of Cuba, Venezuela or South Africa.

Who held up the Irish flag at Nasrallah’s memorial and why did they do that? The Irish Times byline stated that it was exhibited by an Irish “human rights defender” Tara Reynor O’Grady. Who is she, you may ask?

Reynor O’Grady is none other than the current President of No Peace Without Justice. That is an organization which claims to be ‘..at the forefront of promoting the effective operations of the International Criminal Court (ICC).’ https://www.npwj.org/who-we-are/board/tara-reynor-o-grady/

So that is what connects the peculiar political puzzle pieces together: out-of-place Irish flags at a foreign terrorist funeral / memorial. Many other ICC signatory countries could also have proudly paraded their political positions. But all other signatory countries chose not to be present. Why not? https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/full-list-124-countries-must-arrest-netanyahu-icc

Our flag is being used in a growing number of anti-Israel demonstrations. What has led to this spate of bizarre “representations”? What good can come of it? How will it affect international relations going forward?

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In the tapestry of national identity, the flag is often the most prominent thread. It is an emblem that individuals from diverse backgrounds can rally around, a symbol of shared heritage and collective aspirations*

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Most people around the world see Ireland as “poster-boy” for all things pungently anti-Israel. This recent act will confirm prejudice towards this country.

Reynor O’Grady said to the Irish Times reporter, Hayden: “I’m here because so many Irish people cannot be here, and would come if they could, to give solidarity to the Lebanese people who have been invaded for standing on principle in regards to the genocide in Gaza and Palestine.”

Such a simplistic, valorous assessment takes no cognizance of Hizbollah’s recent past. Hizbollah fired multiple missiles at Israel the day after the Jewish genocide – from October 8th 2023 onwards. Who’s any good at military maths? My below timeline terror link will possibly give any anti-Israelis activists food for thought. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Timeline_of_the_Israel%E2%80%93Hezbollah_conflict_(8_October_%E2%80%93_23_November_2023)

What does the Irish flag convey to modern Irish citizens?

Apparently in some cases it “represents” the Irish people who take part in many anti-Israeli events around the world. Many Irish Christians and Jews certainly didn’t want or ask for this self-righteous “representation” at Nasrallah’s memorial.

The tricolor is being used to divide rather than unite. Perhaps we have sacralized its symbolism too much? Perhaps the Irish government needs to remind us as to the proper place and purpose of its use. https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/283710/6dcf4d37-c716-478d-bc60-b47a5067de7c.pdf#page=null

As a Christian friend of Israel, holding a skeptical eye on our government’s anti-Israel positions, it’s an increasing challenge to obey biblical mandates:“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority…” https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/reflections/god-government-and-the-christian ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Notes on why we have national flags:

Why Does a Country Have a Flag and What is Its Importance?
https://theflags.org/why-does-a-country-have-a-flag-and-what-is-its-importance/