Madam, - Ruairi Quinn (January 8th) is right to express concern when inexact or inflammatory language leads to a blurring of the distinction between criticism of Israeli actions and policies, on the one hand, and conspiracy theories and anti-Semitism, on the other. It might be better to speak of a pro-Israeli or Zionist lobby rather than a Jewish lobby, for example, where the United States is concerned.
The situation is not as simple as Mr Quinn suggests, however. There is a confluence between the way in which many Americans view themselves as members of a chosen people creating a new world and the founding myth of Israel. This has allowed the emergence of a Zionist/Christian Right alliance which has the ability both to attract massive amounts of money (with no strings attached) and to make and break careers in a way that is rivalled by no other national lobby, including our own. There are doubtless many American Jews who do not share the Zionist/Christian Right's encouragement of extreme Israeli positions on settlements, Palestinian human rights, etc.
Ruairi Quinn is also right to state that there is lively debate within Israel - but he fails to note that only marginal voices currently engage with the suffering frequently imposed on Palestinian and Lebanese civilians by the Israeli state. It is unfortunate too that most of the Irish supporters of Israeli policies who write for or contribute to The Irish Times seem unwilling or unable to express any criticism of Israeli actions. (Lest I be accused of double standards in this regard, let me say that I have no hesitation in condemning suicide-bombing, the targeting of civilians and indeed various political decisions taken by the Palestinian leadership over the years.)
It must be possible to express understanding of Israeli fears and security needs while criticising specific Israeli policies or specific acts of cruelty and violence.Similarly, I trust that Ruairi Quinn would see no contradiction between critical support of Israel and the continuation of the important work of keeping alive the memory of the Holocaust and of eliminating anti-Semitism. - Yours, etc,
BARRA Ó SEAGHDHA, Kinvara Park, Dublin 7.