Sir, – Almost an entire page given over to the possible implications for Israel with regard to a damaged propeller (Page 13, July 1st). I am sure the irony of being lectured by a country which tolerated and, in time, rewarded destroying boats and their occupants for political reasons, is not lost on the people of Israel. As usual, Ireland responds to Israel with the hypocrisy commonly found in much of Europe. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – So the latest blatant example of Israeli chutzpah in sabotaging efforts to lift the collective punishment in the Gaza ghetto is to be attributed to “the hand of God”(“Israel denies damaging Irish ship”,World News, July 1st).
Should Trappatoni be considering the IDF for our strike force? I presume our “new government” will follow last year’s precedent and pray to the same deity for the return of the customary dome of silence on this issue. Will the Irish media continue to comply? Answers on the back of a brown envelope, to the usual address. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The Gaza flotilla does not make a whole lot of sense. If we look at the statements coming from both sides, an obvious solution to the potential confrontation emerges.
If we accept: 1. That Israel is enforcing a blockade on Gaza solely to prevent arms getting into the territory; 2. That the flotilla participants are unarmed and carrying nothing more than humanitarian aid; and 3. Israel’s assertion that there is no humanitarian crisis and Palestinians in Gaza are enjoying a high standard of living, then there should not be any issue.
If the flotilla allows Israeli customs officials on board to check the cargo and to accompany the boats to Gaza, then surely it is in Israel’s interests to allow these people to visit? Then they will be able to see for themselves that there is no humanitarian crisis and they will go home feeling quite foolish.
Similarly, if the flotilla is carrying arms, we should see them resist Israeli inspection.
The fact that Israel is resolved not to let these people into Gaza under any circumstances is odd considering point 3.
Personally I can’t help wondering if this ban on sea traffic relates to the natural gas find off the coast of Gaza.
Strangely enough, this does not seem to have been reported by the mainstream Irish media. – Yours, etc,