Sir, – Unfortunately, I find myself agreeing with the conclusion of your editorial that a wider conflagration in the Middle East is a very real possibility, especially with Binyamin Netanyahu at the helm in Israel (“The Irish Times view on the Middle East: dangerous days lie ahead”, July 29th). However, relying on the United States to rein in its belligerent ally is a dubious position.
As you note, Israel has consistently ignored appeals for restraint so far and that seems unlikely to change unless those exhortations are followed by purposeful action. But therein lies the fundamental problem with the role assumed by the US.
The Biden administration has indeed voiced some reservations about Israel’s military strategy, but it has also simultaneously supplied the munitions used wantonly against Palestinian civilians and has provided much consequential political support, with Joe Biden announcing in April that US backing for Israel is “ironclad”.
This was emphasised by the US state department in recent days when it told journalists that US support for Israel is “ironclad and unwavering” (“US leads efforts to deter Israel from strike on Lebanon”, News, July 30th).
Booker Prize 2024 longlist: Irish author Colin Barrett makes 13-strong list
All Together Now music festival 2024: Stage line-ups and times, ticket information, how to get there and more
The homeless families displaced by the Paris Olympics: ‘They feel kicked around like a ball’
Not too hot and not too crowded: six great places for a late summer holiday
Unlike with Russia and Iran, no sanctions have been imposed on Israel by either the US or the EU to back up calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
It is unsurprising then that Israel can continue to believe it enjoys impunity and can ride out the storm of international criticism.
Binyamin Netanyahu received multiple standing ovations when he addressed the US Congress last Wednesday (“Prime minister tries to improve tarnished image back home”, World, July 26th). And this for a speech during which – with no apparent sense of irony – he framed the monstrous Israeli assault on Gaza as part of “a clash between barbarism and civilisation”. It was a deeply disturbing scene.
Nonetheless, if anybody wondered how Israel feels able to continue the relentless slaughter in Gaza, now they know the answer. – Yours, etc,
FINTAN LANE,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.