From Westmeath to West Bank: Local activist’s hitchhike for Palestine
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Castledaly man Brian Martin is setting out on the journey of a lifetime, as he endeavours to hitchhike from Westmeath to the border of Palestine, the West Bank, west of the Jordan River, in aid of Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).
Beginning his journey from Castledaly on Monday, September 15, Brian is relying on the goodness of others to support him on his 5,500km solo journey.
“I won’t be travelling the beaten path. When hitchhiking, of course, I’ll be stopping off where other people can take me, and I anticipate that it will take a number of weeks,” he told the Westmeath Independent.
“I will be doing a mix of wild camping, couch surfing, and staying in hostels. I’ve completed multi-day and week hikes in the Scottish Highlands, Northern Spain, Turkey, and the US. I’ve hitchhiked long distances in Western Europe, Western Asia, and Chile. With that experience, I’m confident that I can take on this challenge.”
The 27-year-old farm labourer has been involved in activism for Palestine for over two years and felt compelled to take on the challenge due to the “inaction and complicity” of governments in Ireland and the rest of the Western world.
“I’m putting myself at risk because the people in power will not use it to end the genocide of the Palestinian people,” Brian said.
“For two years I’ve been involved in demonstrations, awareness raisers, and actions. The writing was on the wall: Israel was certain to commit genocide if its Western allies allowed it.
“Now that we are in the midst of witnessing a genocide, I am trying to do what I can to put an end to it. I don’t have a massive platform, endless funds, or political power to exert influence. If those in power acted, people like me wouldn’t have to go to such extremes. This is what I can do, and I’m giving up part of my life to do it.”
The Castledaly man plans to spend three months volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement, a Palestinian-led movement committed to resisting the systematic oppression and dispossession of the Palestinian population.
“I’m setting out on this journey without knowing whether I will even be able to cross the border into Palestine, which is controlled by the illegal occupier Israel,” Brian said.
“If I can’t cross the border, I plan to volunteer in Jordan at one of the refugee camps, helping Palestinian refugees in need of food and shelter.”
While Brian has taken on the courageous endeavour to help on the ground, he said there are other simpler actions people can take at home to support the Palestinian people.“I will be supporting Catherine Connolly for President of Ireland. She has been a very strong voice for the people of Palestine historically,” he said.
“People at home can contact their local representatives to ask what they are doing regarding the Occupied Territories Bill and the use of Shannon Airport by the US military. These are the things that would make a difference.”
To follow Brian on his journey, follow him on Instagram @westmeath_to_west_bank and on TikTok @westmeath_to_west_bank.
For those interested in donating to MAP, go to: https://www.map.org.uk/?form=FUNFXHDCJPK