Jonathan Eric Lewis

22.6K posts

Jonathan Eric Lewis banner
Jonathan Eric Lewis

Jonathan Eric Lewis

@LewisJonathanE

UConn Law grad. Interested in international law, antisemitism, history, supernatural fiction, film

Connecticut and California Katılım Mart 2025
2.5K Takip Edilen3.6K Takipçiler
Sabitlenmiş Tweet
Jonathan Eric Lewis
Jonathan Eric Lewis@LewisJonathanE·
A good amount of scholarship has been published in the last few years on Official Ireland’s obsessive focus on Israel, Irish antisemitism, and on the “pro-Palestinian” or Paddystinian (their adopted term) activist movement in Ireland. This includes David Collier’s extremely thorough investigative report on antisemitism in Ireland and Donal Moloney’s recent Substack essay, “Rallying round the flag: a diagnosis of Paddystinianism” in which the author rightly contends that “Ireland has engaged in vilification of Israel to an unforgivable extent over the past two years” and proffered an explanation of why this might be the case. Building upon these works as well as others of a similar nature, I argue that in order to properly understand Paddystinianism in its most extreme incarnation, it’s imperative to examine the movement through an anthropological lens, one which will serve to help explain how the “pro-Palestinian” movement operates within a particular society. Such an analysis will be useful for academics, concerned observers, and law enforcement alike. Imagine, if you would, arriving in Ireland with a proverbial blank slate, without any knowledge of that country’s history or politics and then seeing so many “pro-Palestinian” banners and street demonstrations. One might be puzzled by this seeming obsession and be tempted to turn to the media to understand it. However, rather than giving one a critical appraisal of the situation at hand, all one encountered was near constant, uncritical praise in the Irish media for the aforementioned protests. Rather than answer the question of why “Palestine” has seemingly taken such a hold on the Irish imagination, newspapers merely published opinion columns on a daily basis, all of which repeated the same unquestioned truism, albeit in slightly different forms: Irish identity and Palestinian history are inextricably linked. But why, one might ask? It would then only seem logical to seek out various academics and politicians for their opinions on the matter. But once again, one would likely encounter the same ‘explanations’ as those offered by the media establishment, a situation leaving one bewildered and confused. It would be as if one were trapped in a funhouse looking at myriad distorted images of one’s self that don’t conform to objective reality, only to be repeatedly told that these reflections were unquestionably real and off limits to objective inquiry. This is the feedback loop that permeates Official Ireland, an academic-NGO complex that aims to keep the population in a state of abject ignorance about Israel and Jewish peoplehood, and the ‘grassroots’ Paddystinian movement. One is expected to accept dogma as truth, to disregard critical thinking, and to repeat what one is told without question. This is where an anthropological inquiry becomes highly illuminating, for it allows for a wider investigation into not only what the movement believes, but also how it operates and more saliently, how it sustains itself in the face of outside information that runs contrary to the narrative. Simply put, Paddystinianism operates much like a cult, one in which there are accepted modes of behavior and belief, a deference to authority figures, and a series of enforcement mechanisms that exist to keep members in line. One cannot neatly separate these three aspects of how Paddystinianism functions in society, for they constantly overlap with one another in a concerted effort to maintain control of the cult’s proverbial members, many of whom have effectively been brainwashed into their beliefs by constant exposure to anti-Israel propaganda. Let me offer a theoretical example that I believe will help illustrate the cult’s tripartite operational structure: Author X decides to write a critical analysis of why so many in Ireland seem to have an unhealthy obsession with Israel and with Jews, in general. In so doing, he begins to question the official narrative about Irish and Palestinian solidarity and comes to his own conclusions. Upon publishing his analysis in a social media post, he becomes subject to constant online abuse, with many calling him “not Irish” or a “West Brit.” Some even call him a “Zionist,” a term employed in an emphatically derogatory manner. Death threats, real or implied, are made. The ‘crime’ of which the cult has found this individual ‘guilty’ is betraying the cult’s doctrines and engaging in critical analysis of a most complex situation. Indeed, the Paddystinian cult, much like a totalitarian political parties that also have cult-like features, demands constant obedience, even if one is not an official ‘member.’ The only belief that the cult will permit is that Irish and Palestinian Arab solidarity is deeply rooted in culture and history. Any challenge to this belief is perceived as a threat to the cult’s authority and modes of belief. In behaving in a manner that betrays the cult’s socially constructed feedback loop, Author X has acted in a manner that threatens the sanctity of the cult and therefore must be punished for not accepting the cult’s absolute and unquestionable authority. Any abuse, including death threats, is permitted in the name of preserving the cult’s authority over all matters dealing with “Palestine.” For its part, the Paddystinian cult, always angry and enraged, relies upon both the media and a loose network of social media users who abuse and mock free thinkers online, hoping that enough opprobrium will force the author into permanent submission. Like all cults, however, Paddystinianism has its numerous weak points. Most notably, toxic fragility and the deeply held belief that it, as a movement, is ‘on the right side of history.’ Indeed, as the movement grows larger and gains more adherents, its weaknesses — most notably, the complete disregard for critical thinking and facts — will become more apparent to the casual observer. It is thus incumbent upon those who support robust intellectual debate in the public sphere to support those voices in Ireland who bravely dare to question the official narrative. Those within the cult will almost certainly take issue with this analysis, of course. Beholden to rituals such as street rallies in which they call for ‘ending Zionism,’ the cult’s most fervent members are perhaps too brainwashed to be reached at the moment. But that doesn’t mean that their fervent belief of their being on the ‘right side of history’ needs to be indulged by the rest of the world. Paddystinians, like all cults on the defensive, may feel that they are being singled out for their beliefs by a hostile world, but they have to know that, like all cults, their views and practices will eventually become known to ‘outsiders’ who will look askance at their ways. In short, the cult may be able to ‘police’ some people some of the time, but they won’t be able to exert their authority on everyone, everywhere at all times. Far from it. Let us then work in concert for a day when the deprogramming of these cult members can begin and a de-radicalization process can take hold. Ireland deserves so much better than what the cult of Paddystinianism offers.
English
32
8
22
6.4K
Jonathan Eric Lewis
Jonathan Eric Lewis@LewisJonathanE·
Fun fact: the largest percentage of Jews who arrived in Ottoman Palestine between 1880 and 1900 were from Yemen
English
0
3
5
77
Jonathan Eric Lewis
Jonathan Eric Lewis@LewisJonathanE·
I didn't even know there were Robert Briscoe Awards! Amazing.
Irish Consulate NYC@IrelandinNY

Consul General Angley and Deputy Consul General Daughen were honoured to join @EIIC1 for the revival of the Robert Briscoe Awards. This great event celebrates the historic ties between the Irish and Jewish communities of New York. This year’s honourees were @Mets owner and philanthropist Steve Cohen and Archbishop Emeritus of New York, Timothy @CardinalDolan for their leadership and advocacy for immigrants across the five boroughs and beyond. A great evening for a great cause!

English
1
0
1
53
Daily Mail
Daily Mail@DailyMail·
Jewish family's horror as posters of their missing daughter, 14, are ripped down by cruel residents in Toronto trib.al/EyMw2kq
English
17
68
188
8.3K
Jonathan Eric Lewis
Jonathan Eric Lewis@LewisJonathanE·
A fascinating and largely forgotten Irish-Jewish connection: R.A. Macalister: an Irish archaeologist in Ottoman Palestine Born in Dublin and educated at Cambridge, Macalister's main interests were Irish and Biblical archaeology. From 1898 to 1900, his work was concentrated in the Judean Foothills in Ottoman Palestine, the indigenous homeland of the Jewish people. In 1901, he became director of excavations for the Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF), a group that had Jewish support. Macalister worked in Ottoman Palestine until 1909, when he returned to take a position in Celtic archaeology at University College Dublin. He is perhaps best known for translating the Lebor Gabála Érenn (Book of Invasions) into English and for challenging the historicity of that document based on archeaological evidence. Macalister posited that Lebor Gabála Érenn (LBE) was really two works combined into one, with History of the Gaedil being a deliberate retelling and reworking of Israelite history within an Irish framework. Indeed, numerous scholars have suggested that Christian writers in Ireland modeled the telling of the story of the Gaels coming to Ireland on the Torah.
Jonathan Eric Lewis tweet media
English
1
0
5
52
Jonathan Eric Lewis retweetledi
Shulem Deen 🎗️
Fun fact: most Jews who ended up in Palestine/Israel were on the spectrum of “meh” to decidedly opposed to Zionism. Whether it was assimilated German Jews fleeing the Nazis or the fiercely anti-Zionist Orthodox from Hungary/Romania, they ended up in Israel anyway. Ask why.
The Economist@TheEconomist

Jews in the diaspora who want to celebrate their heritage without tying themselves to Israel might look to the Bundist concept of “hereness”, which a new book by Molly Crabapple celebrates economist.com/culture/2026/0…

English
9
1
21
2.2K
Jonathan Eric Lewis
Jonathan Eric Lewis@LewisJonathanE·
The man below is accused of breaking into a factory, causing damage, and spray painting pro-Hamas symbols (a fact that they conveniently left out) To his supporters he's an innocent lamb, caught up in a "show trial" And now they're whining that the Irish government isn't coming to his rescue Sorry. But Berlin has made it clear that they will not allow pro-terrorist agitators to go on rampages in Germany Tough luck
Jonathan Eric Lewis tweet media
English
11
11
55
1.1K
eibhlísnímhathúna
eibhlísnímhathúna@eibhlisnimhathu·
@LewisJonathanE Don't you have enough shit to deal with on your side of the Atlantic without getting involved in matters you clearly know very little about?
English
0
0
0
14
Jonathan Eric Lewis
Jonathan Eric Lewis@LewisJonathanE·
@fingalpimpernel I think that's really the key factor. That the group they belong to is proscribed. Is that fair? Depends on who you ask. But it does mean that they had a choice whether or not to belong to a proscribed group in a foreign country. Not a wise idea!
English
0
0
0
0
The Fingal Pimpernel
The Fingal Pimpernel@fingalpimpernel·
its a section 129 case, which in Germany means you're being treated as terrorist adjacent if not explicit, mainly from the level of violence used (axes used to smash furniture, windows and equipment). This kind of trial is treated very seriously, and unfortunately disruption designed as "peaceful protest" will only make thinks worse in this context. The group they are tied to appears to be a proscribed one.
English
1
0
2
67
Jonathan Eric Lewis
Jonathan Eric Lewis@LewisJonathanE·
As someone who has spent a considerable amount of time studying the "pro-Palestinian" movement in Ireland, I have to say that they have the distinction of being deeply ill-informed about the Middle East, its people, and its history, no matter how much they claim to read on the topic It's actually quite embarrassing given how passionate they are about a region they know so little about What they know — or think they know — is mostly regurgitated Soviet propaganda, Israeli "New Historians" hogwash, and Palestinian nationalist folklore Case in point: they really believe that the "British" came in and "gave away" the land to the Jews. When, in fact, the British merely recognized the already existing reality of Jewish landownership on the ground and enshrined it in international law That's right. The very same "international law" that they don't understand very well, either It all becomes very tiresome at some point, seeing them repeat the same ahistorical nonsense, all the while deliberately neglecting the fact that, for most of Irish history, people didn't remotely care about Arab nationalism or identify with it in any way What I'd suggest to my Paddystinian critics is this: stop thinking you know what you don't know and approach the Middle East as a genuine place, filled with real people — Arabs and Jews, Armenians and Turks, Baha'i and Druze, Circassians and Yazidis — rather than a place where you superimpose your longstanding grievances with the "Brits" You might learn a thing or two. Maybe.
English
0
5
23
318
Piccisan
Piccisan@Piccisan1·
@LewisJonathanE I'm sure the ZIONISTS and their RapeDogs are behind this calamity!!!
English
0
0
0
8
Jonathan Eric Lewis
Jonathan Eric Lewis@LewisJonathanE·
Did you know that there's a "land convoy" headed across North Africa toward Gaza? Apparently, security forces in Libya have stopped these agitators and miscreants from abusing their sovereign territory So naturally there's a lot of whining going on from the usual suspects
Jonathan Eric Lewis tweet media
English
1
0
5
207
Jonathan Eric Lewis
Jonathan Eric Lewis@LewisJonathanE·
@JohnBalfe They're trading partners and have worked together within the int'l system against Israel Why do you think Ireland never raises the issue of the ongoing Turkish occupation of Cyprus in the manner that they do with Israel?
English
0
0
0
7
Jonathan Eric Lewis
Jonathan Eric Lewis@LewisJonathanE·
Ireland is set to helm the EU presidency later this year It also looks as if they're going to use that esteemed position to focus squarely on Israel What a waste of an opportunity They should also ask themselves why Cyprus, which is literally occupied by Dublin's ally, Turkey, has not used its tenure to promote an anti-Israel agenda within the EU
Jonathan Eric Lewis tweet media
English
12
5
23
726
Jonathan Eric Lewis
Jonathan Eric Lewis@LewisJonathanE·
The ways in which so many countries in the Arab and Islamic world have treated #somaliland should be a global scandal and should give everyone pause about how these very same countries abuse the discourse of "international law" to prop up Mogadishu Where were they during Somaliland's moment of need? Where were they when Somalia launched a war of extermination? I, for one, welcome #Somaliland's decision to open an an embassy in Jerusalem and will do my part to educate people about it
Jonathan Eric Lewis tweet media
English
16
39
173
2.7K
Live360
Live360@Liver4ever_MO·
@LewisJonathanE Same question to you, where was Israel when Somaliland needed help all previous years?
English
0
0
0
28