Madam, – No solution to the horrible tragedy that is the conflict in Gaza will be found from the polarised positions being held by Hamas and Israel. This polarity is also sadly reflected in the media and political commentary surrounding the conflict.
Fine Gael has maintained a moderate position, pointing to the wrongs that have patently been committed on both sides. Let me be clear: the bombing of a United Nation headquarters building by any force at any time is inexcusable. Launching rockets into civilian areas is equally inexcusable.
The laws of armed conflict must be adhered to. They are designed to protect the innocent and it is obvious that they have been grossly contravened almost daily. Allegations of war crimes have been levelled at both Israel and Hamas. In each case there has been a rush to judgment by both sides, reflected in in media and political commentary. This feeds into existing extremism and makes more remote any chance of a ceasefire, never mind a peaceful solution.
Fine Gael is on the side of humanity and legality. Criticism of one side is not support for another. We want an immediate end to the Israeli offensive, an end to the Hamas rocket attacks and a facilitation of humanitarian assistance through border crossings. We want both sides to comply with UN resolution 1860.
Our policy on the Israel/Palestine conflict is based on four very clear pillars:
1. A two-state solution.
2. A return to the 1967 borders, unless amended by agreement between the parties.
3. An agreed solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees who fled or left their houses in 1948 and 1967.
4. Israel to cease settlement activities and dismantle all outposts erected since March 2001.
Our eternal gratitude is due to UNRWA, headed by Irishman John Ging, and the many agency personnel who put their lives on the line defending the victims of conflict. Some have paid the ultimate price in this conflict, a price paid on our behalf.
We in Ireland can assist by seeking the middle ground and encouraging a moderate mindset. This is not a simple story of right or wrong but of rights and wrongs. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – It’s hard to imagine that little children who were killed in Gaza were actually setting off rockets to attack Israel, but it is not hard to imagine those surviving the IDF onslaught forming the next generation of Hamas militants in due time. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – In the heat of war, it is not difficult for a military force to uphold the convention that women and children and non-combatants have a right to safe passage from a war zone. That the IDF has deliberately denied non-combatants safe passage out of Gaza suggests the intentional targeting of innocents.
Moreover, the bombing of the UN headquarters in Gaza is a grave insult to any notion of humanity. It is clear that the government of Israel cares not an iota about the views of the international community. It should be treated as such.
One hopes that in due course a war crimes tribunal is established to achieve some measure of justice for the innocent victims of the conflict in Gaza. – Yours, etc,