If you think the hatred was somehow diminished because Protestants and Catholics were both white then you obviously never visited Ireland during the troubles, or even more recently. I'm saying that as someone that spent some time in the Middle East many years ago too.
Not saying there wasnt hatred, but imagine if protestants and catholics didnt even speak the same language or even share the same religious tenants. It would have been 100 times harder
The common language certainly made point 2 easier in the case of Northern Ireland. And one very significant difference is that there was no 'two state solution' dynamic in Northern Ireland. That creates quite a different dynamic in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
And Im speaking as someone who is in terms of heritage half muslim half jewish. Only reason I exist is because my forebears moved countries and disavowed their respective religions.