Sir, – Ireland has been outspoken in criticising the slaughter in Gaza, but words are not enough. International and EU law not only allows Ireland (and other EU member states) impose an immediate trade embargo on all Israeli imports but arguably requires EU states to do so.
That a majority of EU member states have agreed “to review” the EU Israel Trade Agreement is a step but not sufficient. The slaughter continues. Each member state must take action immediately.
The EU cannot ignore the ICJ rulings on the actions of Israel, and in effect indirectly fund this war by supporting the economy of Israel. The EU buys more than 30 per cent of all Israeli exports and the immediate cessation would have impact that might save thousands of lives.
The argument that decisions on trade are the exclusive competence of the EU Commission is subject to exceptions.
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The general prohibition on restricting imports from other EU member states is subject to article 36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) which allows restrictions justified on grounds of “public policy”.
There are already decisions of the European Court of Justice confirming the right of a member state to restrict imports based on public policy grounds. Whilst the exception will be interpreted restrictively, nevertheless member states enjoy discretion. Respect for international law is unquestionably a part of public policy in Ireland, as is the protection of our fundamental rights.
Respect for fundamental rights has been endorsed by the European Court of Justice ruling that both the EU and member states are required to respect fundamental rights and that the protection of those rights is a legitimate interest which in principle justifies the restriction of the obligations imposed by European Union law such as the free movement of goods.
It is in this context that the rules as interpreted by the International Court of Justice contained in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide are critically important.
In January 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled on the war in Gaza and ordered Israel to “take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of article II of the Genocide Convention including in particular; to prevent deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part”.
Ordering Israel to take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza.
These orders were reinforced subsequently requiring Israel to “immediately halt its military offensive and any other action in the Rafah governorate which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about his physical destruction in whole or in part”.
It is settled European case law that observance of international law is not merely a rhetorical statement but has specific legal obligations. The EU is bound by customary international law and EU law must be interpreted in light of international treaties, such as the treaty on Genocide which is binding on all member states insofar as they reflect customary international law.
In the circumstances it is no longer acceptable for EU member states including Ireland to merely criticise the ongoing slaughter in Gaza, but it is incumbent on them all to immediately impose sanctions – as they have done on Russia for similar fundamental breaches of international law. It is noteworthy that even Vladimir Putin has not prohibited access to international aid organisations in the areas impacted by war. Even in the war-torn zone of Sudan international aid organisations have access. Israel stands in a unique position.
Time to “review” the trade agreement has long expired. – Yours, etc,
PHILIP LEE,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – As a group of medical doctors, we would like to express our deep concern with regard to the ever worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We are particularly concerned for our medical and healthcare colleagues working in impossible situations there.
Our colleagues are struggling daily with the collapse of the healthcare system, the destruction of hospitals and the death of their fellow healthcare workers. They are working with bombed hospitals, makeshift operating theatres, absence of essential medicines and the destruction of medical equipment.
They are witnessing malnutrition, near famine conditions, destruction of water and sanitation systems.
They operate on children without rudimentary pain relief.
Simple basic treatment of infections, that we take for granted, is difficult enough to access, but treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer barely exists.
The creation of field hospitals by various international NGOs does not compensate for the extensive loss of the healthcare infrastructure.
Hospitals, healthcare workers and their patients are being targeted. This is all truly reprehensible and has no place in a supposedly civilised 21st century.
We do not take sides in this war and we unreservedly condemn the killing by both Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces.
However, we are deeply concerned as we witness the deteriorating situation, the killing of innocent people, the lack of respect for civilian life and the escalating humanitarian disaster.
The First Geneva Convention states that there should be no “obstacle to the humanitarian activities” and that wounded and sick “shall be respected and protected in all circumstances”. Article 18 demands that medical units, ie hospitals and mobile medical facilities, may in no circumstances be attacked.
We, like many others, feel helpless but believe that this intolerable situation cannot be allowed to continue.
As we hear reports of only a very limited number of trucks being allowed into Gaza in recent days, we add our voices to the call for immediate opening of the borders to allow the necessary supply of aid to get through.
We call on our political leaders to do all in their power to bring this about. – Yours, etc,
UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY GRADUATES 1984, including:
Dr Laura Barker,
Dr Ann Marie Connolly,
Dr Alexandra Duncan,
Dr Siobhán Graham,
Dr Grace Kenny,
Mr Dermot Lanigan,
Dr Brian Lennon,
Dr Geraldine O’Dea,
Dr Christopher Rozario,
Dr Brid Bourke,
Dr Margaret Connolly,
Dr Sean Connolly,
Dr Khalid Dhafar.
Sir, – Since the breakdown of the Trump-initiated ceasefire in Gaza, the Binyamin Netanyahu government’s current action is beyond shocking. The shutting off of water and food supplies to the civilian population has continued for 11 weeks!
The images of severely malnourished children prove that famine exists in Gaza.
The tokenistic supply of aid by Netanyahu’s government is an insult to the civilised world. These children need not just access to food and clean water, but to specialised teams with the expertise to renourish them through the critical refeeding phase, and to support their recovery, which will take months.
They will not be helped by tokenistic numbers of lorries nor the “private companies”, which the US government claims will deliver aid at some time in the future. Unicef and other NGOs with the necessary expertise and supplies must be allowed immediate access which can only occur with an immediate ceasefire.
Does Netanyahu expect any hostages still alive to survive in these circumstances?
President Trump, please order a ceasefire today, and allow the UN agencies to do their job. – Yours, etc,
SHEILA MACKEN,
(Retired paediatrician),
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.
Sir, – I am bound to wonder what threshold of harm must be reached before all governments withdraw all support – economic, military, diplomatic, cultural – to the state of Israel? – Yours, etc,
CON LYNCH
Schull,
West Cork.
Sir, – In the west of Ireland it is peaceful and sunny. Across the world, 14,000 babies may die of starvation in Gaza. What use are governments with power, if in times of most desperate and bleak, action is not taken? We march, protest and plead. – Yours, etc,
PATRICK Ó LAOGHAIRE,
Louisburgh,
Co Mayo.
Resetting political relationships
Sir, – It is encouraging to see positive energy and goodwill finally translate into a concrete step forward in the UK-EU relationship, as reported by Mark Paul and Jack Power in “UK declares ‘new chapter’ in relationship with EU”.
The European Parliament has recently called for a fresh, more constructive approach to relations with the UK, following the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly in March. While the UK’s red lines are well known, there is clear scope to improve the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), easing friction and unlocking mutual opportunities.
With a comprehensive animal and plant health (SPS) agreement, mutual recognition of professional qualifications, renewed UK association with Erasmus+, electricity market integration, progress on fisheries, and alignment on emissions trading now within reach, much is at stake. The European Parliament, as co-legislator, and the Irish Government, must now hold both the commission and the UK government to their commitments under the new “Common Understanding”.
But we must also consider the broader geopolitical context. Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine, Donald Trump’s recent antics on tariffs, and continued instability in the Middle East highlight the urgent need for closer co-ordination between like-minded allies.
This is a moment of real potential for Ireland, the UK and the EU. The challenge now is to turn shared objectives into shared progress for people and businesses alike. – Yours, etc,
NINA CARBERRY, MEP
European Parliament,
Brussels.
Eurovision sour grapes
Sir, – Perhaps Sarah Glennane (Letters, May 20th) can explain further, exactly what she means and implies by calling the Eurovision Song Contest “a sorry affair, an insult to our songwriters”. Sour grapes or what? I thought it was a magnificent production. I thoroughly enjoyed it. – Yours, etc,
ENA KEYE,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin14.
A case of breaking and entering
Sir, – Áine Ryan’s Irishwoman’s Diary (May 20th) about her penchant for losing / mislaying things reminded me of an incident decades back in Blackrock Bowling Club. A lovely lady-bowler, Aileen, asked me to help her with the unco-operative key /door-lock on her car – she was in a hurry and didn’t mind how I opened the door. Eventually I managed to force it with a screwdriver, breaking the lock. When the same key wouldn’t fit properly in the ignition, we decided to call her husband at his dental practice for some help.
“There’s a problem with my key – it wouldn’t unlock the door and doesn’t fit in the ignition,” she said to him.
“Aileen,” he asked, “what car is it you are having a problem with?”
“My red Mini,” she replied.
“Your Mini is maroon,” he reminded her, “and it’s in for a service today. You drove my car. Is there a silver BMW anywhere near the red Mini?”
There was. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KEEGAN,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – It was concerning to read the list of early signs and symptoms of Dementia in “Dementia is just one part of who they are. My husband’s underlying personality hasn’t really changed” (Health & Family, May 20th). Then three pages on, it was a tonic to read Áine Ryan’s Irishwoman’s Diary and to be able to reassure oneself that generally all is right with your world. God Bless Áine Ryan! – Yours, etc,
MARTIN CROTTY,
Blackrock,
Co Louth.
Shedding tiers
Sir, – With reference to the excellent and timely article “What lessons are there from over 30 years ago for today?” by Judith Harford & Brian Fleming (May 20th) they remind us that the important proposal to establish a “middle tier” of governance to manage the education system at regional or local level was “quietly abandoned”. This was to the disappointment of many and resulted in other consequent developments being shelved in the years since then.
I cannot help wondering if this tier had then been put in place, would we still be witnessing the serious shortages in both mainstream and special needs provision that are just now placing enormous pressure on those affected? And would the system today be more responsive and nimble in identifying and meeting varying local educational needs in both sectors, as it was intended to be? – Yours, etc,
DESMOND SWAN,
Emeritus Professor of Education,
UCD.
Fox hunting Bill and politicians
Sir, – On May 27th the first attempt in Ireland’s history to have fox hunting banned here will be made in the Dáil. Ruth Coppinger TD will move the Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill 2025, which seeks to amend existing law under which this cruel practice is permitted.
How the Bill proceeds through the Oireachtas will depend on the level of support it gets from TDs and Senators.
Given the current focus on the need to preserve what’s left of our wildlife heritage I hope that each of them will, on this occasion, put the welfare of this beautiful wild dog before narrow political considerations.
The fox has a central nervous system similar to that of any domestic canine. It feels pain in exactly the same way, so the claim by the blood sport lobby that it “enjoys” the chase is unfounded, like the other claims it makes in defence of an activity that Oscar Wilde described as the “unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable”.
The pro-hunt case is self-contradictory. On the one hand it asserts that hunting with hounds keeps down fox numbers, while also claiming that it’s humane because very few foxes are caught!
Its claim to be performing pest-control is undermined by the practice of introducing cubs to areas where foxes have become scarce to ensure that the hunts have enough of them to chase.
None of us would like our pet dog – or any dog – to suffer intense pain or distress. We would, if we could, intervene to help the animal or call a vet. We should also, I suggest, come to the aid of the humble fox.
As with bull fighting and bear baiting, a love of tradition is cited as a reason for allowing this blot on the countryside. But nothing can justify causing an animal to suffer just for fun.
Fox hunting should have no place in 2025 when nature is under siege from climate change, pollution and habitat loss, and at a time when the majority of people no longer equate organised animal cruelty with “sport”. – Yours, etc,
JOHN FITZGERALD,
Callan,
Co Kilkenny.
