Sir, – Since the second World War, the West, led by America, has devised an updated legal code of human rights and international behaviour in peace and war. It insists on the world observing this code by – among other things – making accountable and punishing those who breach it. It has established international institutions charged with policing the code.
It has, however, persistently prevented it being enforced in the case of Israel, which in the same period has repeatedly, in peace and war, offended against it. In recent weeks it has been doing so again in Gaza and the West Bank. This persisting impunity of Israel has made of the code in question a capricious and cynical charade. It deprives the nations of the world of a common code of behaviour deserving respect and makes any prosecution or punishment based on it a rank injustice. – Yours, etc,
DR DESMOND FENNELL,
Sydney Parade Avenue,
Dublin 4
Sir, – On July 24th, it was reported that 15 children had been killed by a missile landing in the UN school in which they were billeted. The Israeli reaction was to claim that it was a Hamas missile that had fallen short of its target. Israeli spokespeople maintained that line, even as they said the killings were being investigated. That remained their position.
So, since then, does anyone have a clear idea what happened? Or, as was predictable, have the Israelis buried the story in the rubble and the hundred times that number of dead since? I presume each of those children had a name, parents, siblings, that made them the individuals they were; easily forgotten though, it would appear. – Yours, etc,
EOIN DILLON,
Ceannt Fort,
Mount Brown,
Dublin 8
Sir, –Recent comments by the Israeli ambassador in Ireland denying attacks on medical facilities and staff in Gaza are repugnant. To date over 25 medical facilities have been targeted, including the Gaza European hospital and Al-Aqsa hospital, where one patient was killed and 20 medical personnel were injured. Numerous ambulances evacuating patients have been sniped at or shelled, killing doctors, nurses and patients alike. Rehabilitation hospitals, paediatric hospitals and primary care clinics have been bombed, killing patients and staff. Even Red Crescent and UN staff are being killed by Israel aggression.
Medical neutrality ensures the protection of medical personnel, patients, facilities, and transport from attack or interference and unhindered access to medical care and treatment and the humane treatment of all civilians and nondiscriminatory treatment of the injured and sick. These principles are enshrined in international human rights law, humanitarian law and medical ethics. To target medics and hospitals is to purposely dismantle the health care infrastructure with the effect that the wounded also die. In Gaza the wounded are predominantly innocent civilians who have no escape from the conflict zone. – Yours, etc,
PROF DAMIAN
Mc CORMACK FRCS Orth,
Eccles St,
Dublin 7
Sir, – Whatever one’s views on the war in Gaza there is no doubt that that territory is governed and presided over by one of the most ruthless terrorist groups in the Middle East. Israel is blamed for overkill in its response to unprovoked attacks from Hamas. Meanwhile, Sharia fundamentalists see the war in Gaza through the soft focus of a Western media much of which appears to have sided with Hamas.
A constant stream of one-sided comment on how Israel deals with rocket attacks on its citizens would suggest that Hamas is, at least, winning the media battle. The only truly democratic State in the Middle East is now seen in many quarters as the Great Satan. Europe’s first line of defence in the fight to contain the onward march of Islamic fundamentalism has been seriously compromised.
There is no doubt that Israel is currently well able to contain attacks from Hamas and its backers from throughout the Middle East. But it is a small country and is surrounded by many sworn enemies – and many of those are growing stronger and bolder and will undoubtedly gain access to more sophisticated weaponry. The bottom line is stark. If Israel falters under pressure from united fundamentalists, the West won’t be too far behind. European Christianity is already on life support. – Yours, etc,
NIALL GINTY,
Killester,
Dublin 5