Sir, – As Conor Gallagher’s report highlighted, the Army has a long history of purchasing Israeli military equipment and continues to do so (“Ireland spends €8.5m on Israeli drones and military equipment”, News, February 22th).
This was always deeply unacceptable – Israel has long stood accused of human rights abuses against Palestinians – but with Ireland, along with Spain, now calling for a review of the EU-Israel trade agreement because of breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza, it has become entirely incongruous and even contradictory.
If the Government wishes the EU to agree trade sanctions against Israel, then it must be consistent and implement similar measures here. No branch of this State should trade with Israel and especially not with its repugnant arms industry. – Yours, etc,
FINTAN LANE,
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Lucan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, - Your letter writers asking for an urgent address of the current Gaza crisis (”Humanitarian crisis in Gaza “, Letters, February 22nd) is noticeable for what they don’t ask for.
While there is criticism of Israel, there is no mention, never mind criticism, of Hamas.
Why no mention of the cause of the crisis, which is Hamas’s unprovoked attack on Israel on October 7th? Why is there no request to Hamas for a ceasefire? Or for Hamas to release all the hostages? Or for Hamas to comply with international law? Or for Hamas to respect Israel’s right to exist? Why is Israel being criticised for announcing in advance where combat action will take place so that civilians have adequate time to leave? Surely this is good as it helps avoid civilian casualties. The claim that the people of Gaza have nowhere to go is false as Israel does not surround Gaza. Gaza has a 12km border with Egypt, but Egypt refuses to open the Rafah border crossing to allow civilians to leave Gaza? Why is there no mention or criticism of Egypt’s policy? – Yours, etc,
JASON FITZHARRIS,
Swords,
Co Dublin.