Sir, – Perhaps the Israeli ambassador would like to tell us which military installation the four young children (Front Page, July 17th) blown up while playing on the beach in Gaza were shielding? – Yours, etc,
KATHLEEN FLYNN,
Pinebrook Heights,
Dublin 15.
Sir, – The Israeli Defence Forces drop leaflets on areas of Gaza, in advance of targeting them, to warn people to leave their homes. This, seemingly, absolves them of responsibility when civilians are killed. When asked on RTÉ radio earlier this week where these people were meant to go, an Israeli spokesperson stated that they could go to the beach. Unfortunately, as evidenced by the four children killed on this beach by an Israeli naval bombardment, there is now nowhere safe for the besieged populace to hide. The international community should stand aside no longer and condemn these indiscriminate attacks for what they are – war crimes. – Yours, etc,
RONAN DESMOND,
Fitzroy Avenue,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 3.
Sir, – I am very grateful to the Israeli ambassador for explaining (July 16th) why it is right under international law that so many women and children and innocent civilians of Gaza have had to die at the hand of his country’s armed forces in the past weeks.
I thought that one of the purposes of international law and the various organisations of the United Nations was to protect innocent people. Clearly they have been so structured that they give countries such as Israel free rein to attack civilians. – Yours, etc,
ANDREW
DOYLE CLIFDEN,
Lislevane,
Bandon, Co Cork.
A chara, – Israeli ambassador Boaz Modai puts it very succinctly. Israel is using its military capability to protect its civilian population. Hamas is using its civilian population to protect its military capability. – Is mise,
CIARÁN
Ó RAGHALLAIGH,
College Street,
Cavan.
Sir, – Once again people are calling for a boycott of Israeli goods (July 16th), in response to the inclination of Israel to defend its existence. If it comes to that, let us be fair, and ensure that we also boycott oil imports from the multiplicity of tyrannical regimes in the Middle East. – Yours, etc,
EUGENE TANNAM,
Monalea Park,
Firhouse,
Dublin 24.