Madam, – I am extremely pleased that Ireland withdrew from the United Nations conference on racism when President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran spoke (World News, April 21st).
Irish delegates should defend to the hilt Israel’s right to exist and live in peace free from attack. Because the freedoms enjoyed by all Israeli citizens, and a level of human rights protection that Iranian citizens can only dream about, is critically important to our society.
By refusing to listen to Mr Ahmadinejad we confirm it is unacceptable that he fails to abide by even the most basic norms of human decency that are to be expected everyone, be they Jew, Muslim, Christian or other. – Yours, etc,