Sir, – The Israeli ambassador should reflect on Israeli history. During the 1930s and 1940s the Israeli independence movement was dominated by groups such as Irgun and Lehi. Their tactics included bombing civilian targets, such as the King David Hotel, killing 91 civilians, as well as well-documented massacres of Arab civilians, such as the massacre of over 100 civilians in Deir Yassin. Irgun was declared a terrorist organisation by the US and UK governments.
However, their terror campaign played a major role in Britain withdrawing from Palestine and the formation of the state of Israel. Subsequently, Irgun fighters joined the Israel Defence Forces and their leader, Menachem Begin, became prime minister.
Is this also an example of what the ambassador calls rewarding terrorists for their crimes? – Yours, etc,
DERMOT COX,
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Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – Since our Government views Hamas as a terrorist organisation (“Ireland . . . along with the EU, considers Hamas a terrorist organisation”, Q&A, May 23rd), why does The Irish Times insist on referring to its fighters as “militants” rather than “terrorists”? – Yours, etc,
DAVID M ABRAHAMSON,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – What strategy I wonder does the Government have to keep investors on side, if any? Has anyone picked up the phone to captains of industry in the United States and elsewhere to explain Ireland’s stance on recognising Palestine? If not, might I suggest the Tánaiste starts doing so and in haste. – Yours, etc,
JOHN TURNER,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – The decision by the Government to formally recognise the state of Palestine neither rewards Hamas for its brutal attack on Israel nor punishes Israel for its conduct of the subsequent war.
It simply brings to an end the nonsense of advocating for a two-state solution while only giving formal recognition to one state.
This conflict will endure unless and until both sides acknowledge the legitimate claims and grievances of the other side. Are there any courageous leaders prepared to step forward and speak truthfully to their people to start to build a resolution to this pitiless conflict? – Yours, etc,
PAUL WALSH,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – The Israeli ambassador, Dana Erlich, complains that “people here are so quick to vilify, judge, condemn Israel ... in a way that creates incitement” (“Ireland acknowledges Israel’s right to peace and security, says Taoiseach”, News, May 24th).
Perhaps Irish people who rush to judge Israel overlook or ignore the power of the extremist religious ideology that motivates the likes of Hamas and Iran’s Mullahs.
For Islamists, influenced by the writings of Sayyid Qutb and similar scholars, Jews are the problem and the state of Israel is merely their platform from which they spread, in the Islamist mind, “corruption on earth”.
This explains the visceral hatred shown by Hamas during its attack on October 7th last.
Jewish women were targeted for gang-rape, mutilation and murder.
Accelerant was brought from Gaza and used to burn bodies of men, women and children to such an extent that some fused together making identification difficult. – Yours, etc,
KARL MARTIN,
Bayside,
Dublin 13.
A chara, – Among the many reactions and commentary regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state, has been the comparison with our own claim for statehood just over a century ago. However, one fundamental and pointed difference must be observed: the IRA, in all of its guises, never called for the annihilation of the British people. – Is mise,
PETER DECLAN O’HALLORAN,
Belturbet,
Co Cavan.
Sir, – “Outrageous” is how the US president has described the International Criminal Court’s issuing of arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and defence minister. Seriously?
What is outrageous is the attitude of these two states to that court and the International Court of Justice, courts that are supported by the vast majority of the world’s countries. The handful of holdouts includes the US and Israel, which seem to regard themselves, in particular, as exceptional, above international law, enjoying total impunity for egregious acts, and never subject to sanctions. This is shockingly arrogant.
No country should be above international law and no state should enjoy impunity. Crimes against humanity, invasions, overthrows of legitimate governments and so-called “targeted killings” should be adjudicated by the relevant international court.
Anything less is truly outrageous. – Yours, etc,
BARRY O’REILLY,
Clonmel,
Co Tipperary.