Occupied Territories Bill

Sir, – Peter Molloy states that the Opposition is engaged in populist, outraged student politics (Letters, November 21st).

Aside from “outraged students”, the tens of thousands of people who are taking part in ongoing protests around the country include trade union representatives and members, nurses organisations, Jews for Palestine organisations, artists and show-business people and others of all ages and races. Members of the Opposition are within their right to participate in such rallies since the whole country is appalled by the atrocities we see on our television screens every day.

It would answer the Government better to take heed of the groundswell of opinion that is growing in this country and take a more uncompromising approach to Israel and the massacres that state is now committing in Gaza.

I agree with Mr Molloy that “this tragic conflict requires serious politics”; a robust legislative approach is long overdue. The Government must stop blocking the widely supported Occupied Territories Bill, which has already passed both Houses of the Oireachtas, and must stop delaying the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill. – Yours, etc,