Letters: Can't our politicians see the damage their anti-Israel stance is doing to our country?

Irish Independent

3 days ago

I, and many Irish people, ­cannot understand why the Government indirectly encourages Hamas, a sick organisation that does not want a two-state solution, believes in keeping dead hostages, uses the death of their own citizens as propaganda and refuses to relinquish power to achieve peace.
Our leaders are alienating our country from most of ­Europe, the Middle East and the US with no gain.
Can they not see that the ­international silent reception to their anti-Israel policy is ­damaging our country?
We need to listen to world opinion and not claim some form of humanitarian high ground by keeping a warm ­relationship with Iran and its funding of so many terrorist ­organisations.
It is not too late to call for hostage release as a path to peace, abandon the anti-Israel policy and offer the hand of friendship by requesting the return of the Israeli ambassador. Surely it would be wise to maintain a normal diplomatic relationship with the Middle East's only democracy.
Philip Hannigan, Bray, Co Wicklow
Blinkered view of Gaza hard to fathom
Madam — David Quinn accuses our politicians of not offering any solutions to the situation in Gaza. He also mentions what he calls their condemnation of Is­rael for trying to destroy ­Hamas.
Nowhere does he mention the destruction of Palestinian homes, the starving of children and the shooting of people queuing for food.
He could have just written: 'I'm fine with how things are being handled in Gaza and the rest of the people of Ireland should be too.'
P Kelly, Carraroe, Co Galway
Ireland should not just parrot US views
Madam — I have to take issue with some of the points made by David Quinn. Blithely parroting the mantra of US politicians that Ireland is the most anti­semitic country in Europe conflates discrimination against Jews with criticism of the action of the state of Israel. The latter is not antisemitism.
He also asks why there is no condemnation of Iran – the same country that was attacked unprovoked by Israel and is not actively engaged in genocide against Palestinians. It is currently ruled by those who overthrew the shah, who was imposed on the Iranians as he was useful to western (US and UK) interests.
Mr Quinn seems to suggest we say nothing for fear of upsetting our trade with the US.
Mark O'Hagan, Ballinacurra, Co Cork
Irish lead the way on moral courage
Madam — David Quinn describes Ireland as the only EU country where the Israeli ambassador has been recalled, as though this were a point of shame. Perhaps it's because ­Ireland is one of the few countries with the moral courage to call out what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank for what it is: abhorrent.
Let me be clear: I do not excuse the horrors of October 7, 2023. What Hamas did that day was evil. But to focus only on geopolitics and foreign policy while ignoring the mass killing of civilians, especially children, is a moral failure.
It is a sad reflection of our times when people show more concern for ­diplomatic ­manoeuvres or economic fallout than for our shared ­humanity.
C Smyth, Cahir, Co Tipperary
Defence of human rights hypocritical
Madam — Our politicians' approach to defending ­human rights is hypocritical. They ­insist on pursuing the ­Occupied Territories Bill to sanction ­Israel while remaining ­silent about China's ­documented ­human rights abuses of ­millions of Uyghur Muslims.
Our politicians have much to say about the alleged moral evil of using or benefiting from technology created in Israel, yet are silent about the use of Hikvision cameras in the ­Oireachtas.
Hikvision, a company controlled by the Chinese state, has been banned by some EU members because of national security concerns and its alleged role in the mass surveillance of Uyghur Muslims, an activity that is facilitating their erasure as a distinct cultural and ethic minority.
There appears to be one rule for Israel and another for China.
Sandra Adams, Baldoyle, Dublin 13
Bonfires used to be fun, not flashpoints
Madam — Reading Sam McBride ('Loyalist bonfires don't have to be inflammatory events in a united Ireland', July 6) reminded me of the wonderful bonfire nights we had as children many moons ago.
These were a long way from what we see in the North today, with pyres up to 64 metres high, a potential danger to anyone in the immediate area.
In our younger days, after we had got planning permission from our parents for a suitable site, the hard work of gathering anything that would burn began: timber, turf, old mattresses, unwanted clothes and blankets, cardboard boxes and, of course, the great prize of used tyres.
These bonfires were held on the June 23 on the eve of St John's Day. When the big night arrived, adults and children came from surrounding villages. While the dads lit the fire, the mothers made tea and opened the boxes of goodies.
As we watched the fire grow bigger, we could hardly control our excitement.
As it crackled, spat, groaned and reached into the night sky, we all had tea, sandwiches, biscuits and freshly baked apple tart.
Afterwards, the men had a few bottles of stout and told stories — and some tall tales as well. As the night wore, on we started singing the songs of the time. The hits of Elvis, Big Tom, Larry Cunningham, Johnny McEvoy and The Beatles rang out loud and clear.
At midnight, we all returned home after a great night. It was a magnificent social occasion thoroughly enjoyed by all the attendees.
As we went to our beds, we dreamed of it all again next year.
God be good to those innocent and simpler times in our youth, many years ago.
Tom Towey, Cloonacool, Co Sligo
Cass Review shown to have deep flaws
Madam — I was alarmed to read Mark Tighe ('Trans group TENI risked 'harm' to children over puberty blockers advice', June 29) uncritically citing the Cass Review, the basis of a UK-wide ban on puberty-blockers for trans children.
One of the immediate criticisms of the Cass Review was that it wasn't peer-reviewed — a very basic standard in academic practice. Well, it has been peer-reviewed now, with academics from all over the world finding deep flaws with its methods, selection, intentions and more. Other reports have drawn the exact opposite conclusion to Cass.
There's a reason Britain has fallen to 22nd in the European rankings for LGBTQ+ rights, its lowest position ever (it was first in 2015). It is not a model ­Ireland wants to emulate, and our politicians and press have a duty of care in this regard.
Margaret McPherson, Clongriffin, Dublin 13
Kingdom reigns on Joe Brolly's parade
Madam — As a lifetime GAA follower (with no Kerry affiliations), I would like to comment on the ill-judged article by Joe Brolly ('Clifford the only ­Kerry footballer worthy of name', June 29). He described the present crop of Kerry footballers as 'useless' bar one David Clifford.
Well, Joe, you got your ­answer in Croke Park later that day, when the men in green and gold produced the greatest display of attacking football ever seen at that famous venue. Far from being useless, they had stars right through the field, and indeed off the bench, working their socks off for the Munster champions who destroyedto ­defeat Armagh.
Thirty-two points scored by a team of useless footballers, Joe — as Roy Keane might say, 'not bad, in fairness'.
Be a bit more realistic in your match previews — this was a shocker to all football followers.
Seamus O Murcada, Glensensaw, Wexford
Wolfe Tones instil a real sense of pride
Madam — Anyone attending The Wolfe Tones' farewell concert in Thomond Park tonight will be in for a treat — take it from someone who first saw them in Kilburn in the mid-1980s and most recently in Liverpool last month.
As I waited for them to come on stage at the June concert, I chatted to other members of the audience. I met two primary school teachers from Preston, Lancashire, who had Irish parents who were there 'to take it all in'.
I also met five men who were native Welsh speakers. I talked to a former police ­superintendent from just outside Liverpool who had no Irish family connection and was 'there for the craic'.
There was a time years ago when the crowd would have been just a lot of people in ­Celtic jerseys with a sprinkling of GAA county colours attend­ing. While these were still ­visible, this was a hugely ­diverse crowd. Oh, and the ­music was excellent too.
I came away from the concert feeling very proud to be Irish. I hope Kneecap take the baton from the Tones, even if I don't understand a word of their songs.
They generate the same sort of feeling: pride and a ­general 'get up off your knees' vibe. Long live the Wolfe Tones.
Sean Keenaghan, Douglas, Cork
Open the presidency to more contenders
Madam — Eilis O'Hanlon's article on the presidential election ('Do we need another president with notions?', July 6) was, as always, insightful and informative. However, she offered no suggestions as to how we might change the Constitution to make the office more accessible. Might I be so bold as to make one?
We could make open nominations to anyone who is able to gain 10,000 sponsors by way of a petition. If they were successful, they could go forward to a preliminary ballot, with the two highest-scoring going on to a final deciding vote.
I believe only those with a genuine desire to speak out for what they believe in would put themselves through this process.
Michael Wilson, Laytown, Co Meath
We need new way to pick our first citizen
Madam — Seeing as how the race to replace President Mich­ael D Higgins appears to be failing to capture the public imagination, we should consider an alternative approach.
A new selection process is even more desirable owing to the incumbent's tendency to go beyond the previously accepted boundaries of the office. We don't need two taoisigh.
So let each of the four provinces elect a candidate by public vote. Then have the foreign embassies in Ireland elect their preferred choice from these four selections. The one with the most votes becomes president.
In this way, we would ultim­ately be letting a section of the world's elite pick the best of our poor choices. And with that, it would be another gentle reminder that the success or otherwise of our great little nation has much to do with powers largely outside of our control.
Brendan Corrigan, San Martín de los Llanos, Colombia
Mulhall would be perfect for the Áras
Madam — With all the speculation about who might or might not be selected to contest the presidential election, it has occurred to me that rather than choosing a celebrity candidate, we might look to someone with skills and expertise better suited to the position.
Given that the role is primarily an honorary one, but with a strong diplomatic element to it, I believe that Dr Dan Muhall, a former ambassador and a learned gentleman, would be the perfect fit in many ways.
Leo Walsh, Waterford
Brother Kevin was a true ally of the poor
Madam — Brother Kevin Crowley (Obituary, July 6) was a fearless friend of the poor. In a church too often known for doctrine, he made it known for dignity for the poorest of the poor.
He didn't ask people their story before feeding them. He didn't require worthiness before washing feet. He didn't filter compassion through policy or privilege. He gave because God gives.
And the place he built, the Capuchin Day Centre, wasn't just a soup kitchen. It was a Eucharist without walls, where bread and mercy were broken daily for thousands.
What Brother Kevin served there went deeper than calor­ies. He offered respect, welcome, healing, hope, love, acceptance, compassion, all freely, all radically. He saw people not as problems to fix, but as mirrors of Christ. The drunk, the addict, the asylum- seeker, the abused mother, the lonely pensioner were received with no questions asked except: 'Are you hungry?'
If we truly want to honour his legacy, we must stop romanticising saints and start imitating them.
Ronan Scully, Knocknacarra, Galway
How to keep your energy in your 80s
Madam — I met Brother Kevin Crowley in his office on the top floor of the Capuchin Day Centre for 15 minutes the day before he retired in August, 2022.
In response to my question as to how an 87-year-old man (who would have been in the 23rd year of receiving his Irish Rail pension had he continued to work for CIE) found the energy to be in charge of running one of Dublin's largest homeless charities, he replied: 'The secret is to find joy, peace and happiness in one's work.'
Paul O'Byrne, Rathgar, Dublin
Captain America's and its superpowers
Madam — As a 1970s student from rural Armagh, I thought I had made it when I discovered Captain America's on Grafton Street ('Make Captain America's great again — here's how', July 6).
I stuck to the regular meat burger and hoped the occasional girl brave enough to join me might find both me and the place vaguely cool.
I loved the banana split. I loved the mints by the till even more. I took more than one.
Years later, a friend informed me that surveys had found traces of urine on free mints in some restaurants. Some superpowers are best left to the imagination.
A short-lived romance sparked there may well have contributed to my seven post-university years in the US.
Before the Marvel franchise, Captain America was making awkward young men feel like heroes, one burger at a time.