Sir, – Alan Shatter (“Promised Government action on anti-Semitism is just blah, blah, blah,” November 29th) provides examples of what could be considered anti-Semitic.
One example is “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination”.
What then would he suggest we call the denial of the Palestinian people their right to self-determination?
Clearly Mr Shatter doesn’t do irony! – Is mise,
TOMAS McBRIDE,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
A chara, – I note that Alan Shatter links “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, eg by claiming that the existence of a state of Israel is a racist endeavour” with anti-Semitism.
Predictably, Shatter makes no reference to the multiple discriminatory actions against the Palestinian people, perpetrated by the Israeli regime in securing this endeavour.
Overt hypocrisy aside, it is the talk of “double standards” and “applying to Israel obsessive criticism applied to no other state” that really jumps out.
He lauds the acceptance by the EU institutions and other states of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism – that same lauding on his part, was notably absent when the EU and the UN condemned the actions of Israel for exploiting the natural resources of the Golan Heights and the illegal construction of Israeli settlements among other things.
A cheerleader for the work of these institutions I’m sure but condemning Israel as part of that work? Anti-Semitism as per Alan Shatter.
Blah, blah, blah, sir.
– Is mise
FÉLIM O MAOLMHÁNA,
Sráid Harman,
Baile Átha Cliath 8.