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Remembering Maidhc Ó Cathail

Remembering Maidhc Ó Cathail

By Alison Weir | If Americans Knew | May 15, 2017

I’ve just learned devastating news: Irish investigative journalist Maidhc Ó Cathail is dead.

I met Maidhc (prounounced “Mike”) for the first and only time in 2014. He had traveled from Japan, where he was then living, to Washington, D.C. for our National Summit on the US-Israel “Special Relationship.” I had previously read some excellent articles about Israel-Palestine by Maidhc and had occasionally corresponded with him, so I was looking forward to talking with him in person.

During a few long, relaxed conversations, I found him engaging, principled, and intelligent. He had a bright smile, gentle sense of humor, and seemed to me a truly decent and compassionate human being – and a brave one, as he sought after facts and connections many wish undiscovered.

I never saw him again, but we occasionally corresponded. We didn’t always share the same view of ongoing happenings, but I found him continually seeking to understand the full context of current events no matter where this took him. Such work receives little financial compensation.

Awhile ago Maidhc contacted me about a book of his writings that he hoped to get published. I was immensely impressed by his work and told him that if he couldn’t find a publisher, perhaps If Americans Knew could publish it. He seemed excited about this prospect. Since we have a tiny staff and a multitude of projects, I explained that it would take awhile for us to get to this. I envisioned publishing a book of his strongest articles and hoped to bring it out this year. I fervently wish I had published this book sooner.

Maidhc was an honest seeker, painstaking researcher, and talented writer. He cared deeply about those who are oppressed and victimized and worked to expose and end injustice. I wish the world valued and supported such people. We badly need them. He exposed information about Israel, Palestine, and related subjects that is of profound importance.

Maidhc deserves to be remembered and honored. While luminaries ignored him and are unlikely to mention his passing, the rest of us can and must share his work.

Thank you, Maidhc. I’m so sad you’re gone. May you Rest in Peace and Justice.

May 17, 2017 - Posted by | Ethnic Cleansing, Racism, Zionism, Solidarity and Activism, Timeless or most popular

3 Comments »

  1. His articles were always well worth reading. He will not be forgotten. Thank you, Alison, for this commemorative piece.

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    Comment by traducteur | May 17, 2017 | Reply

  2. I am immensely saddened by this news, and I also thank Alison for her remembrance. I myself, several years ago, corresponded with Maidhc over a particular topic — surely related to Palestine — and valued the interaction. I regret not having kept in better touch, despite the fact that we are/were “neighbors” of sorts in Hawaii and Japan. I hope to learn how he passed…as my suspicious nature immediately surfaced: “Was he poisoned or otherwise disposed of by the dark forces who seem everywhere among us?” R.I.P., Maidhc, friend of courage, truth, justice, and humanity.

    (I haven’t read more than the surface news yet, but I think Maidhc would have shouted in glee to know that the Dublin City Council is flying the Palestinian flag together with the Irish flag over government offices for 30 days. Imagine the crazed hyper-outrage of the Zioenvoy to Ireland and his/her handlers in Zioentity-occupied territory…!)

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    Comment by roberthstiver | May 18, 2017 | Reply

  3. Thanks for remembering my friend, Maidhc. We had many conversations over lunches while teaching at Kindai university. I’m Jewish, and I have seen no evidence that Maidhc was anti- Semitic. He was, as I am, not a fan of Israel’s non-negotiating politics towards its Palestinian inhabitants and neighbors, an attitude that we both believed would ultimately weaken Israel. Anyhow, he was a great dancer, a great fan of Irish traditional culture, and was very cute in his childlike demeanor towards the opposite sex, formed largely by a strict rural Irish upbringing. I tried teaching him to swim, but he never could – his body was as dense as his mind at times. So sorry for this loss.

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    Comment by Peter Damashek | May 26, 2017 | Reply


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