Letters: Humanity is doomed if demilitarisation does not occur soon

Irish Independent

9 hours ago

France is still providing Israel with military assistance including weapons and munitions that are being use by the Israeli military to commit genocide in Gaza.
The two-state solution and demilitarisation would be a good idea, but only if the Israeli state was also demilitarised. The Palestinian people should be allowed to return to the lands and property they rightfully own and to be properly compensated for all they have suffered since 1948.
The imperial powers – France, Britain and the US – have played major historical roles in destabilising the Middle East since World War I and are continuing to do so since World War II, by abusing their powers of veto at the UN Security Council.
France is believed to have assisted Israel to develop nuclear weapons. Israel is now believed to have at least 90 nuclear bombs. Iran has never had nuclear weapons but is now being attacked by Israel.
Demilitarisation, rather than rearmament, is now urgently needed worldwide if humanity is to survive all the existential threats, including the threat of nuclear war and actual damage being done by wars and militarisation to our already-damaged environment.
Edward Horgan, Castletroy, Co Limerick
Even wars have rules, but Israel continues to see itself as above global law
Just as the decades of crimes under Israeli occupation – such as the demolition of homes, arbitrary imprisonment and torture and the destruction of olive groves – do not justify Hamas committing war crimes against civilians in Israel, the crimes committed by Hamas cannot justify war crimes by Israeli forces.
These include the bombing of hospitals and depriving the civilian population in Gaza of food, water and medical supplies.
As emphasised by United Nations humanitarian relief co-ordinator Tom Fletcher: 'We see war being used to justify massive human suffering. This is unacceptable... Even wars have rules… If your principles apply only to your opponents, then they are not humanitarian principles.'
Terry Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Keir Starmer risks plunging UK into another war by enabling attacks on Iran
When Israel previously attacked Iran, Britain defended Israel from the Iranian retaliation with no adverse consequences. This time Iran says that if Britain defends Israel it will be regarded as an aggressor.
British prime minister Keir Starmer has sent fighter jets to the Middle East and refused to answer when asked if the UK would defend Israel.
Israel justified attacking Iran by saying there was an imminent, existential threat from Iran. Before involving Britain in another war, Starmer needs to demonstrate to his people that that statement was true.
Brendan O'Brien, London
Greta Thunberg is a true hero who has held a mirror up to the terror of Tel Aviv
Why does Greta Thunberg's activism so enrage the hurlers on the ditch?
If one were to compare the courage of Ms Thunberg's aid mission with the inaction and complicity of Western governments, then one can see that this young woman is the quintessential iconoclast, subversive and renegade.
It's my contention that the Madleen was no 'selfie yacht'.
It is to my mind a symbol of human compassion in a world that has decided to look the other way.
It's my assertion that Ms Thunberg is someone who is trying to do the right thing while being decried by Israel, as it refers to her actions as a publicity stunt.
I believe Ms Thunberg was doing what she believed to be morally right as she used her prodigious global platform to highlight the inequities and injustices that are being perpetrated against the people of Gaza.
It's easy for the so-called hurlers on the ditch to call into question the motives of this autistic woman?
I see her as a woman who is holding a mirror up to Israel.
Her critics may sneer, but standing in solidarity with over two million Palestinians in Gaza is what makes Greta a hero.
John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
For myriad controversial reasons, we should not give Trump tyranny legitimacy
As Donald Trump celebrated his 79th birthday, while at the same time overseeing a multi-million-dollar extravaganza to celebrate the US military's 250th year, large 'No Kings' demonstrations were taking place all over America, to protest against instability and division.
America and its people are now even more polarised than they were ever before, and that is down to the Trump MAGA ideology. It has created a more unstable world and has bolstered right-wing extremism in Europe and other parts of the globe.
His lack of diplomatic nous; his incendiary and divisive trolling on his Truth Social platform; his propensity for exaggeration and lying have all become the hallmark of a presidency in virtual freefall.
Trump's sociopathic acolytes and Republican rearguard have all the traits of what many class as a dictatorial or monarchical regime.
His imposition of Marines and National Guards against the wishes of California governor Gavin Newsom to quell riots; his use of immigration and customs officials to deport anyone randomly; his threats to take over sovereign nations; and his tariff impositions, only highlight his abuse of power.
Why should we, in Western democracies, have anything to do with this administration, knowing what we know? Why should we give it legitimacy when we know that every step, every executive order Trump makes, goes against the very fabric of social society and the very foundations of our democratic values?
Christy Galligan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
GAA commentary needs to be more grounded – I was floored by what I heard
I watched the Armagh v Galway game on GAA+ from Breffni Park on Saturday night.
The weather was rough, but not enough to warrant what I heard from the commentary team – players, apparently, kept 'hitting the floor'.
Unless they moved the match indoors without telling us, I'm fairly sure they meant 'the ground'.
The floor is what you mop. The ground is what you get up from after a Galway shoulder.