Sir, - N.A. Nelligan (October 14th) points out interesting parallels between the historical experience of Palestinians and that of the Irish, but fails to note an even stronger parallel between Irish nationalism and Zionism that, when taken into account, should leave us in a state of passionate ambivalence.
The most committed and fundamentalist of Jewish settlers on the West Bank or the Golan Heights shares with the meekest and mildest of Irish nationalists the belief that God, or someone very like Him (Eamon de Valera, perhaps?) has ordained the borders of the state in which he "should" be living. In the one case it is Eretz Israel, and in the other, a united Ireland - regardless of the views of whoever happens to be living there at the moment, of solemn international treaties, of what is objectively possible, and even of what might be objectively "right".
John Bowman, decades ago, observed that the Republic of Ireland is perhaps unique in the world in that few of our most intelligent and educated citizens would be able to recognise the map outline of the state in which they live. Eretz Ireland we all recognise; but the "biscuit with a bite taken out of it" in which we actually live some of us have never even "seen", and few could recognise. There are undoubtedly some maps of Israel in Jewish homes on the West Bank that are not unlike ours.
I think that, when we take our UN Security Council seat next January, the issue of Palestine is one on which, whatever proposal might come before the council, we should passionately and compassionately abstain. We should be able to see both sides of this question all too clearly. - Yours, etc.,
William Hunt, Harold's Cross, Dublin 6W.