Republicans identify with Palestinians because their situations are so similar

John Downing (‘What lies ahead on rocky path to recognition for the Palestinian state by Ireland?’, Irish Independent, April 18) finds it odd that Irish Republicans favour the Palestinian cause, in view of the fact that the Israeli Freedom Fighters of the 1940s were inspired somewhat by their studies of Dan Breen and Tom Barry in the War of Independence.

Breen and Barry were engaged with the interloper, whereas the Israeli Freedom Fighters were the interlopers. He further notes that the loyalists in the North identify with Israel.

The loyalists are descendants from the English and Scottish settlers replacing the native Irish. So is it not logical that the Plantation of Ulster’s forebears should find kinship with the planters of Palestine?

Patrick Fleming

Glasnevin, Dublin 9