Sir, - If the Christians Concerned for Ireland (letters, October 25th) detect an anti Israeli bias in the Western press vis a vis; the opening of the Hasmonean tunnel in Jerusalem, then perhaps, they should ask themselves why such a bias should occur at this time, and why the Arabs would allow many of their own to die for the sake of a tunnel.
I do not watch CNN, but all the international commentators whom I heard referred to the opening of the tunnel as being extremely provocative to the Palestinians - and who is to decree what the Palestinian people should and should not consider provocative, after decades of subjugation by the Israelis? Certainly not Christians Concerned for Ireland, especially when it would seem that their entire delegation managed to "witness" these events without any apparent interest in or understanding of, the Palestinian point of view.
Whilst the opening did not violate any aspect of the Oslo Accord, it is obvious that if Mr Netanyahu's Government had shown any willingness to abide by this, tension in the area would not have been at fever pitch and the issue could have been resolved more reasonably by both sides. Instead, the Israelis refused requests by Palestinian and international brokers to delay the opening. Could Ms. Tier and her fellow delegates tell me why the Israelis found it so difficult to make this simple concession at such a volatile intersection in the peace process? Could it be that provoking the Arabs into violence was exactly what the Government, wanted?
Could it be that Mr Netanyahu expected world opinion to side with him in the event of a tunnel inspired Palestinian uprising?
After all, throughout the conflict, the Israelis have enjoyed a degree of international support and tolerance of their "security" measures which sometimes beggars belief. If there is now a swing in the opposite direction, it can only bring balance. Indeed, it is alarming that a delegation from Ireland could respond to these, complex events with such a blinkered perspective - the very perspective which has, until recently, been largely adopted by the Western media (with some notable exceptions, Bob) vis a vis the Palestinian question.
I also object to the patronising tone adopted in this letter when it states that the tunnel's new exit "will help the Arab shopkeepers". The Arab shopkeepers, I dare say, know very well what's good for them and if they chose to forego material gain because of their concerns for their own religious sites and national aspirations, then I am sure they would thank the visiting Christians to mind their own business. - Yours, etc.,
Inniscarra,
Co Cork.