Madam, - The sight of people living in a free, democratic society (Ireland) protesting outside the embassy of another free, democratic society (Israel) should be a cause of celebration. In reality, however, it is quite depressing, as those protesting outside the Israeli Embassy ply their unthinking blame game and attempt to convince the world that Israel's actions have no cause, that actions by terrorists based in Gaza should have no consequences.
The deaths of innocent children in Gaza is regrettable. But the blame for their deaths lies squarely with the undemocratic, terrorist-supporting Hamas. Surely it would better serve the residents of Gaza if Hamas and their sympathisers in Ireland were to try to prevent the endless rocket attacks on Israel's innocent civilians.
But that would require a measured, nuanced view of the region and its ills, and that would not fit the protesters' narrow, anti-Israel agenda. Peace requires two willing partners and at the moment only Israel fits that description. - Yours, etc,
Madam, - Tom Carew (December 31st) rightly points out that Hamas is not innocent in the ongoing conflict. He is also right to say that nobody should be expected to stand idly by "in the face of such a sustained campaign of atrocities against civilians". Of course no country can ignore regular attacks on its community.
However, it is also clear that such is the extent of the over-reaction by Israel that its actions can now only be classed as state terrorism. In recent months the Israelis have maintained a blockade of the Gaza Strip which has slowly and systematically brought the residents and infrastructure of Gaza to their knees. Now Israel sees its latest action as putting the final nail in the Hamas coffin.
To see a country which portrays itself as civilised descending to state terrorism is worrying in the extreme.To see that there is no willingness to stop this descent is even more worrying.
It is time for Ireland to take a principled stand on the Israel-Palestinian conflict and expel the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland.
Ireland must also press for emergency medical aid to be allowed through to those who are in desperate need of it. It is also clear that the European Union's self-imposed ban on talking to Hamas is forcing ordinary Palestinians into the hands of extremists. Israel's latest assaults will reinforce this trend.- Yours, etc,
Madam, — Desmond FitzGerald (December 31st) need hardly tell us that he personally has little sympathy for the Palestinian cause. That is obvious from his letter and in any case is of no interest. However, his letter is not entirely unworthy of comment.
Firstly, he implies, without providing evidence, that Palestinians "want the world to feel sorry for their plight". What they want is justice and the chance to live free from persecution. Secondly, he places the onus on Palestinians to reject violence from their own side. Surely both sides must be persuaded to desist from attacks which harm or kill civilians. And, as the primary aggressor in the conflict, it is Israel which must renounce dispossession, terror and the daily humiliations which threaten to drive the Palestinians to despair.
To place conditions on the Palestinian people for allowing the Israeli gun to be taken from their heads would be a renunciation of the duty of solidarity and an odious betrayal of a population that has suffered enough.- Yours, etc,
Madam, - Barack Obama's silence on the Gaza violence is much more eloquent than the four-second sound-bites that raised so many hopes.
Is it now a case of "Yes, you can and no, we won't"? How terribly sad. - Yours, etc,