“Death, death to the IOF” – Lasaır Dhearg [web]” – that is, the Israeli Occupation Force (as an alternative name for the “Israeli Defense Force”) in Gaza.
Palestinian deaths in Gaza now number about 60,000 (Al Jazeera) and reports that people are dying from starvation – about 100 so far (Al Jazeera) – and 1,000 more killed while seeking aid (NPR).
For the graffiti on the right (of the wide shot) see Seas Le Kneecap.
This crude lettering is perhaps part of/an intermediate form of work-in-progress in Glen Parade, Andersonstown, west Belfast, replacing a Saoradh pro-Palestine piece. This wall has an interesting history: it was a graffiti-art wall for a decade, before being taken over in 2018. (See the Map for a complete history.)
Brendan “Bik” McFarlane was imprisoned for life for the attack on the Bayardo Bar on the Shankill Road and took over as IRA OC in the Maze when Bobby Sands went on hunger-strike in 1981. He escaped the prison in 1983 and was extradited back to Northern Ireland from the Netherlands in 1986 and eventually paroled in 1997.
McFarlane died in February (2025) (BelTel). He was raised in Ardoyne, north Belfast, and this graffiti is on a hoarding on Ardoyne Avenue.
“This is republican youth land! Be happy! GGRY” This is a more ambitious piece of graffiti, at least in terms of scaling the building, when compared to 2023’s GGRY on the lower wall. (“GGRY” is “Glengormley Republican Youth”.)
With bonus “Nazis out!” graffiti on a litter bin at the Valley leisure centre.
For an explanation of this latest message on Black Mountain, see Gael Force Art’s Facebook page. An Irish tricolour would later joing the lettering shown here, though the piece had a short life-span, as it was replaced a message supporting Kneecap (for background see Seas Le Kneecap).
Kneecap performed their Coachella sets in front of a large screen onto which messages were projected, including denunciation of the Israeli “genocide” of Palestinians “enabled” by the US (Rolling Stone).
Many cancelled gigs followed, as well as a call from Sharon Osbourne that the band’s work visas be revoked (BBC). In response, Kneecap insisted that their speech was not an incitement to violence (BBC).
The band’s visas might also be in jeopardy because the band has parted ways with booking agents IAG, which sponsored the band’s US tour (Hollywood Reporter).
Further, scrutiny of past performances revealed pro-Hamas and -Hizbollah chants, which have now led to an investigation by the UK’s anti-terror police (NME). The band also apologized for a 2023 remark that “the only good Tory [Conservative MP] is a dead Tory” (BBC).
Many artists and bands have come out in support of Kneecap – about 40 put their names to a statement posted to instagram. The band also has the support of the graffitist in the image above: “Free Palestine – silence = complicity. Seas le Kneecap [stand with Kneecap]”.
The Glúıne Caıpín (Caıpín Glúıne/Kneecap/Ní cheapaım) chocolate bar (below) was purchased in a Castle Street newsagents.
“Build Casement now. Tóg é anoıs [Build it now]. Ógra SF”. Plans to redevelop Casement Park/Paırc Mhıc Ásmaınt go back to 2009 but a series of problems – with planning permission, objections from locals, insufficient funding, and the contractor going bust – has meant that the stadium has been boarded up and deserted since 2013 (balls.ie).
There were hopes that Casement would be renovated in time for the 2028 Euros, but the new Labour government declined to contribute and those plans were shelved. A rally was held last month (April 12th) to put pressure on government ministers – both in Stormont and Westminster – to make Casement’s rehabilitation a priority (BBC | RTÉ).
In this graffiti outside the Royal Victoria Hospital, west Belfast, a person in a white coat faces a tank bearing an Israeli flag. Israel’s renewed bombardment of Gaza on March 18th killed more than 400 people (Independent), including an OB-GYN specialist in Rafah (Al-Jazeera); on the 23rd, an airstrike on Nasser Hospital killed five (Reuters).
Detailed figures of casualties among health-care workers in Gaza can be found at Healthcare Workers Watch.
“Show Israel The Red Card” is a campaign to suspend Israel from UEFA and FIFA competitions (Haaretz).
Supporters of various teams around the world (Quds News | Combat Antisemitism) have been displaying the slogan at games, following the lead of Celtic ultras in a match against Bayern Munich (youtube).
On March 8th, various groups, including RSYM (Fb), held a protest at Free Derry Corner (Fb video).
In smaller letters below the main slogan is “#LajeeCeltic” – Lajee Celtic (web) is a football academy in a camp in Palestine.
Extramural Activity 