Letters: An erudite, cultured doyen of the arts world, RTÉ radio's Seán Rocks will be greatly missed

Irish Independent

4 days ago

Although he had been a teacher and a successful actor in his own right, he was best known for his work on RTÉ radio's Arena since 2009. He had such a comprehensive know­ledge of all the arts and was such a joy to listen to.
This knowledgeable, erudite, well-read and cultured man will be truly missed.
John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Pressure must remain on Israel so it engages with neighbours diplomatically
Now that prominent Jewish people, along with some Western nations, are admitting the fact of genocide in ­Palestine, it is imperative that the pressure is kept on the government of Benjamin Netanyahu and, by default, US president Donald Trump.
One obstacle tacitly ignored is that a number of Israel's neighbours may not desire a democratic Palestine or even a democratic Syria.
Israel is facing the prospects of a forever war – or a peaceful existence with all of its neighbours.
For a Palestinian state to come to fruition and prosper as a democracy, all discussion should include the immediate neighbouring nations.
Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia
Hamas opposes two-state solution as jihadism still holds sway in Palestine
Paul Johnston, the UK's ambassador to Ireland, claims Israel is wrong to oppose an independent Palestinian state alongside the existing Jewish one ('Israeli opposition to a two-state solution is morally wrong', Irish Independent, July 31).
However, Hamas itself is opposed to such a two-state solution, and since 1937 every Palestinian leader has opposed five major peace plans proposed by the likes of the Peel Commission, the UN and Bill Clinton. Israel accepted each one.
ADVERTISEMENT
This illustrates that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is more about religion than land.
Egypt ruled Gaza and Jordan ruled the West Bank until 1967, when Israel defeated both in the Six-Day War.
When Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, the Palestinian Authority took charge. However, Hamas then won the 2006 election and turned Gaza into a jihadist fortress dedicated to the destruction of Israel and the eradication of Jews.
All the evidence points to a future Palestinian state becoming, in due course, an Islamist failed state.
Karl Martin, Dublin 13
Ireland can use its 'soft power' again by setting the standard through bill
Francesca Albanese, the UN rapporteur for the Occupied Territories, has warned that 'the European Union is consciously supporting Israel's genocide of the Palestinians'.
As perhaps never before, social media has helped expose the terms 'Western values' and 'Western democracy' as no more than hollow slogans used to cover the grossest violations of international law, including illegal occupation, apartheid and now genocide against defenceless civilians.
By enacting the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) now, in full and without further delay, the Irish Government would strike a blow for international law and Irish democracy, and in the process help bring an end to the most shocking example of international criminality since the start of World War II.
In 1987, the Charles Haughey-led government defied the then EEC and unilaterally banned all trade with apartheid South Africa.
A number of European countries followed Ireland's lead, apartheid fell within a few years and Ireland's 'soft power' and standing internationally was further enhanced.
Billy Fitzpatrick, Terenure, Dublin 6
Starmer appears flaky on statehood for Palestinians after nudge from his party
The UK government's signal that it will recognise the state of Palestine unless Israel acts to stop the famine in Gaza is symptomatic of British prime minister Keir Starmer's wishy-washy approach.
He is a middle-of-the-road prime minister who seems afraid of his own shadow. It is his Labour colleagues who have taken the lead and embarrassed him into doing something.
But his lack of conviction does not serve the Palestine cause one bit, and looks more like an attempt to punish Israel than any genuine belief in the statehood of Palestine.
Starmer needs to show honest leadership and conviction.
Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Co Dublin
Labour camps suggestion is appalling when you look back at Shannon deaths
I was appalled at the suggestion by Harry Crosbie that we return to the use of labour camps ('Worker compounds that move around could be a huge help in housing crisis', Letters, July 31).
We need not look to Roosevelt's America, but to the Shannon Scheme here in 1925. Thirty-three workers died on the Shannon Scheme and should be remembered. That era has ended, thank God. We have trade unions and workers' rights.
In regard to the return of tax to eastern European construction workers, I believe our expat Irish construction workforce would return home for the same consideration.
Perhaps it's time that we renationalise our energy sector, given current crisis
It wasn't surprising to see another crisis emerging, with many households now struggling to maintain access to energy ('Record numbers in arrears on energy bills as families forced to prioritise buying groceries', Irish Independent, July 31).
But what is surprising is the fact that our politicians fail to recognise these problems were created by the wholesale outsourcing of provision of such social goods to the market under the governments of Bertie Ahern and Mary Harney. The pursuit of profit replaced the priority to ensure access to these vital services for society.
The 301,379 households reported to be in arrears on energy bills do not include the many thousands suffering frequent electricity-supply disconnections when pre-pay meters cannot be topped up.
Astonishingly, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) does not require suppliers to keep records of all such pre-pay meter disconnections. Is it time to renationalise the energy sector? Can CRU tell us how much of the energy spend in Ireland is going to profits?
Jim O'Sullivan, Rathedmond, Sligo