Arms sales to Israel

Sir, – The world waits with bated breath to see if a ceasefire is agreed in Gaza after 34,000 deaths and almost seven months of unthinkable horror, death, starvation and destruction on a besieged population.

Even if the proposed temporary ceasefire is announced, the only way to guarantee peace in Gaza is a permanent ceasefire, the ending of arm transfers to Israel by the US and other countries, and full accountability for war crimes. This will also allow for the safe delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to hundreds of thousands of starving and ill people, and the start of the long process of rebuilding shattered lives.

While pleas to ban arms transfers have so far fallen on deaf ears, will it be people power that achieves results?

In echoes of the student protests during the Vietnam War in the 1970s, and the Arab Spring that inspired a wave of protest started by students across the Arab world against authoritarianism, corruption, and poverty in 2010 and 2011, protests against Israel’s offensive in Gaza are spreading. This student action has been inspiring, demonstrating a moral authority and clarity so clearly lacking in the Biden administration.

Tony O’Reilly obituary: Ireland’s first business superstar whose spectacular fall led to bankruptcy

---

Cliff Taylor: Pay close attention to what Intel does next. It’s a test case for Ireland

---

How Ireland drinks now: Teetotallers, wine-o’clockers and ex-drinkers

---

George Stephanopoulos: ‘You can only have constructive debates if people are determined to engage in good faith’

---

ActionAid and multiple organisations under the “Ceasefire Now” umbrella are seeking to ban arms against Israel. This will provide an opportunity for people to mobilise in global solidarity and demand accountability from governments involved in the arms trade.

The US must feel the pressure, show humanity, and halt arms sales to Israel. And if they won’t listen to other world leaders, they might listen to people power.

If arms sales stop, the carnage in Gaza would end. Aid would get in, and fewer Palestinians would die. The process of seeking accountability for atrocities could then properly begin. – Yours, etc,

KAROL BALFE,

CEO.

ActionAid Ireland,

Dublin 1.