Ulster & Israel

Extramural Activity

Nov 1

"Ulster & Israel – brothers in arms". The Uzi was developed in Israel in the late 1940s and became a general-issue weapon in 1956. It was used (and copied) by loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland (Balaclava Street has a comprehensive history of loyalist weaponry) and appeared in a both UDA and UVF murals and graffiti: The Elite | Ulster Says No! To The Politicians | Sandy Row 2nd Batt | UFF Uzi.

Here is an article from TheJ.ca interviewing PUL politicians on their support for Israel. And loyalists have previously flown the flag of Israel — see Gregg & Carson (2011) | View From The North Bank (2012) | The Young Conquerors (2013) | The United Nations (2014) | Ulster Supports The People Of Israel (2018). But this is the first time that a symbol of violence has been used as the symbol of solidarity. (In republican muraling, see the RPG in PLO-IRA.)

Tate's Avenue, in the Village area of south #Belfast.

The placard in the middle, between Brothers In Arms and "Sir E. Carson K.C.M.P." was discussed in Stand Firm. The Winning Hand was seen previously in The Red Hand And The Winning Hand.