The term “Paddystinian” was initially coined to denigrate Ireland’s support for Palestine, but has since been adopted as a badge of honor, appearing on T-shirts, hoodies, pins, and social media bios: welcome to Paddyst-independent territory.
Irish activists have taken on this term enthusiastically as a rallying cry against Israel’s conflict in Gaza and to push the Irish government to take more action to end the conflict.
The belief that it was initially used as a slur by pro-Israel supporters has only encouraged its use on social media platforms like TikTok, where Irish users proudly call themselves “Paddystinians” and, in a play on the traditional female name Biddy, “Biddystinians.”
“It started as a negative term,” Ross McGann, a TikTok user with nearly 40,000 followers, noted. “Hearing that, I thought: ‘No, we can flip that around.’ It’s very Irish to take an insult and turn it back around.”
Using online platforms, Irish supporters of Palestine are turning the tables on the term “Paddystinian” to express solidarity and resist oppression.
The origin of “Paddystinian” is unclear, but the term gained notoriety after Israel closed its embassy in Dublin to protest what it deemed Irish government anti-Semitism and hostility. The term combines the Irish nickname “Paddy” with “Palestinian,” suggesting that Ireland’s recognition of Palestinian statehood and efforts to position the EU to take a harder stance on Israel endorse the terror activities of Hamas.
While some credit the term with amplifying awareness and mobilizing younger people to the cause, the proliferation of “Paddystinian” has also sparked controversy in light of statements by the Irish rap group Kneecap, whose members are embroiled in legal troubles that threaten their participation in major events like Glastonbury.
Zoë Lawlor, the chair of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, hails the reclamation of the term, noting that it is being used humorously and it’s helping to present a united stance against injustice.
The term has become popular on merchandise and social media, with proceeds from some products going to aid for Gaza, symbolizing how language can be reclaimed and used as a tool for activism and awareness.
Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, appreciates Ireland’s historical and ongoing support for Palestine, finding echoes of a shared history of colonization and a commitment to freedom and justice.
The goal for these activists is to use this online solidarity as a means to pressure the Irish government to convert strong rhetoric into concrete actions, such as trade sanctions on Israeli settlements and curbs on the use of Irish airspace for military shipments to Israel.
