A chara, – Jason Fitzharris describes Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israeli military targets – which, as we know, sadly degenerated into a slaughter of Israeli civilians – as “unprovoked” (Letters, February 15th).
This is to ignore the illegal 16-year-old military blockade of the strip which, in the words of the Danish academic Somdeep Sen, “systematically targets civilians and non-military civilian infrastructure like residential buildings, hospitals, schools, water treatment plants, etc, making life in Gaza all the more unbearable.”
Mr Fitzharris tells us that “The silence from hand-wringing Irish politicians with regard to Hamas and Iran’s role and responsibilities in Gaza is deafening.” Instead, it’s clear that Mr Fitzharris advocates silence with regard to Israel and its US and EU backers’ role in perpetuating the siege of Gaza and the illegal occupation of the West Bank.
But indeed there has been too much silence and too much hand-wringing.
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The Irish and other EU governments know what actions they need to take to rein in their outlaw Israeli ally. Under international law, the persecuted Palestinians are a protected people: failure to take action on their behalf constitutes a form of complicity that implicates us all. – Yours, etc,
RAYMOND DEANE,
Dublin 7.
Sir, – Since the events of October 7th, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli reaction there has been consistent criticism of the actions of the Israeli government, with the emphasis on what is perceived as a disproportionate response leading to the needless deaths of civilians.
This has culminated in calls for an immediate ceasefire.
The net effect of an immediate ceasefire would appear to be a return to the status quo ante bellum with Hamas continuing to hold the hostages they took, presumably to extort more concessions from Israel. Under these circumstances, it is fully understandable that it is totally unacceptable to Israel.
Maybe if some of those criticising Israel could come up with suggestions to return the hostages to their loved ones, Israel may be a bit more amenable. – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN McMAHON,
Naas,
Co Kildare.