Sir, –Ireland’s decision to abstain from the United Nations vote to look into allegations of Israeli war crimes in Gaza (“Abstention from UN Gaza vote ‘shameful’”, July 25th) is most regrettable and would seem to reflect a softly softly approach on the part of the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, towards Israel’s actions in the current conflict.
Despite the ruthless escalation in attacks on Palestinian women and children in UN schools and the merciless destruction of homes and hospitals, the minister responds to international pleas for tougher measures against Israel’s current activities with near apologetic remarks like “not in the best interests of peace”. Mr Flanagan refers to the need for Palestinians to accept the ceasefire arrangement proposed by Egypt, a country totally opposed to Hamas due to its links to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The fact remains that as long as the Palestinians are denied the human rights they are entitled to as a nation, a long-standing peace accord is impossible. Whether or not it is the democratically elected Hamas or the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) which represents the Palestinians in negotiations, issues such as free and unhindered access to international borders from Gaza, the provision of clean water and an end to illegal settlements must be resolved. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL CULLEN,
Albert Park,
Sandycove ,
Co Dublin
Sir, – I have listened carefully to the comments of the Israeli ambassador on his country’s invasion of Gaza. I understand his argument but for heaven’s sake can he not see how totally counterproductive the policy is as a strategy for self-defence? It is obviously not working. Hamas rockets are still raining down on Israel, the toll of human suffering on the ordinary Gaza people is incalculable, the hatred generated will last the lifetime of the present generation and beyond, and the reputation of Israel as a civilised society amongst the nations of the world has plummeted.
Just think of the goodwill that would be generated if the money spent on the military assault were instead to be spent in Gaza on new hospitals and schools, to say nothing of the agony and grief that would be avoided. I suggest this as an alternative to the present disastrous policy of attack. It has just as much chance of succeeding, without the present pain and anguish. – Yours, etc,
PETER BOYLE,
Blessington,
Co Wicklow
Sir, – Brendan Archbold (July 24th) thinks that it’s nonsense for me to say that the role of the peacemaker is not to take sides. He proceeds to deplore the lethal consequences of Israel’s strategy, backed by quotes from UN sources, which I in my letter acknowledged as legitimate comment. My contribution about not taking sides was a sincere encouragement for Ireland to become active as a peacemaker, and not, as Mr Archbold states, an exhortation to “take the safe middle ground”. The UN secretary general developed the United Nations Guidance for Effective Mediation in response to a request from the general assembly in September 2012. Among the fundamentals which the guidance recommends should be considered in mediation processes are impartiality and inclusivity. What credibility would Irish mediators command if they started out from a position of “boycotting Israel and all things Israeli”? – Yours, etc,
PADDY CREAN,
Bromley Court,
Wicklow
Sir, – One is used, in Ireland, to the airwaves being filled with anti-Israeli hyperbole but Senator Averil Power’s outburst after Ireland’s abstention at the UN marks a new low. Senator Power said Israel was “deliberately targeting civilians”. This is manifestly false and untrue. Israel has dropped leaflets, sent texts and tried to avoid intentionally killing civilians.
With the international opprobrium heaped on Israel every time it tries to defend itself does Senator Power think it is going to make a rod for its own back by killing civilians deliberately? The sad truth is that there will always be civilian casualties in wars. It suits Hamas to have pictures of dead children as a propaganda weapon to lull the gullible into lining up against Israel when in fact it was Hamas who started this conflict as part of its stated aim of wiping Israel off the map and wiping out the Jews. Perhaps Senator Power could ask Hamas why it rejected a ceasefire proposed by Egypt which would have saved hundreds of innocent civilian deaths. – Yours, etc,
PAUL WILLIAMS,
Circular Road
Kilkee,
Co Clare
Sir, – Why cannot the UN offer and introduce a multinational peace force into Gaza charged with the elimination of all rocket fire and other terrorist aggression from Gaza into Israel? This would both eliminate the need for armed defence of its citizens as an imperative for Israel and prevent Hamas’s use of civilians in Gaza as human shields, leading to loss of life for Hamas propaganda purposes. This would seem more positive than blaming Israel for civilian killings deliberately contrived by Hamas for its own purposes. – Yours, etc,
B DEVLIN,
Bellevue Park,
Blackrock
Co Dublin
Sir, — Why does civil society constantly have to cajole and drag reluctant governments toward the universal values and principles of social justice and human rights that we all hold dear. The Government’s decision to abstain in a United Nations’ vote on whether to investigate allegations of Israeli war crimes in Gaza represents a diplomatic low point for Ireland and undermines our long and distinguished efforts in the development sector working on behalf of the poor and oppressed in the global South. Ireland should immediately expel Israeli diplomatic staff until the aggression in Gaza stops and the siege is lifted. It should also unilaterally ban imports from Israeli settlements which are illegal under international law and a clear obstacle to peace in the Middle East. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN McCLOSKEY,
Centre for Global Education,
University Street,
Belfast