Madam, - I am very glad that Raymond Deane - described in your report of March 29th as "composer", without any mention of his political role as a leading member of the Ireland-Palestinian Solidarity Campaign - failed in his attempt to get backing for his anti-Israel motion at the general assembly of Aosdána.
Margaretta D'Arcy, another pro-Palestinian campaigner, got support for a much watered-down version of Dean's call for what Mannix Flynn rightly described as a "boycott". As a result, Aosdána is now asking Irish artists and cultural institutions "to reflect deeply before engaging in co-operation with Israeli cultural institutions".
I hope your readers will reflect equally "deeply" on why those who supported Ms D'Arcy didn't feel it necessary to include the many countries in the Middle East and elsewhere whose record on human rights, including freedom of expression for artists, is far inferior to that of Israel.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, has shown good common sense and responsible leadership in responding to Aosdána's motion by saying he will continue to work with both Israelis and Palestinians to bring about a lasting settlement and that the way forward is "to be inclusive and to engage both Palestinians and Israelis".
- Yours, etc,
OLIVER DONOHOE, Kimmage, Dublin 12.