Sir, – David McWilliams’s article “I don’t think sanctions on Israel are imminent, but things can change quickly in times of war” (Opinion & Analysis, October 12th) raises the potential issue of economic sanctions being applied by the European Union against Israel at some future point.
Without doubt, Israel has a right to defend itself from either terrorist attacks or an attack launched by a hostile state such as Iran. What Israel does not have a right to do is to indiscriminately kill unarmed civilians in their thousands, either in Gaza or now Lebanon, target United Nations peacekeepers in the hope that they will withdraw and leave the civilian population of South Lebanon to their fate, break and have a total disregard for international law with, to date, no consequences, and all facilitated by a weak US administration.
It’s time for Ireland, along with its European partners, to seriously consider the use of economic sanctions in order to bring pressure to bear on a government that shows scant regard for the value of human life, or the rule of international law. Actions should have consequences. – Yours, etc,
CONOR HOGARTY,
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Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Caoilte Breatnach’s letter (October 14th) seems to miss a very important point.
If a stop is put to supplying weapons to Israel, does anyone really think that would bring peace, the release of hostages and a ceasefire by Iran-backed terrorist groups?
Would disarming a democracy and not their terrorist enemies solve the problem?
The UN has no sway over designated terrorist organisations. It has no means of preventing the build-up of arms.
If recent information is correct that the UN-patrolled areas in Lebanon are pitted with rocket launchers aimed at Israel, what are we doing there? – Yours, etc,
PHILIP HANNIGAN,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.