Brian Dougherty of the North-West Cultural Partnership in the Fountain area of Derry city. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PASectarianism in Derry is increasingly being expressed through the Israel/Palestine conflict, with some nationalist youths willing to attack Protestant communities over support for Israel, a Protestant community leader has said. The local situation in Derry is being fuelled by the Israel/Palestine conflict, Dougherty said: “Derry sees itself as a progressive active city, but that activism has consequences, that feeds into general civic issues in Derry. You’re either for us or against us, so if you’re not on our parade supporting Palestine then you must be supporting Israel,” he told a Holywell Trust conference. Interestingly, 92.2 per cent of Catholics are convinced of its merits; among Protestants, 42.5 per cent agree while 41.2 per cent do not.

Source: The Irish Times February 25, 2026 21:23 UTC