Netanyahu’s tactics against those who criticise his government’s attempt to deflect attention from what the majority see as a calculated and continuing campaign of genocide.
History has shown that aggressors often distort narratives to cast themselves as the aggrieved – a strategy that does not fool the people of Ireland or its political representatives.
President Higgins has devoted his life to standing against injustice, consistently speaking out with moral courage when others remain silent.
His intellect, integrity and advocacy for the oppressed are needed now more than ever. Please continue, Mr Higgins. Your voice matters.
Enda Kilgallen, Dublin 18
Jewish people who want peace are the very ones who were massacred
Bishop Kevin Doran claims that those Jewish people who seek a peaceful homeland for everyone in Israel and Palestine deserve our support and respect (‘I understand why some are so hesitant to criticise Israel – but this needs to change’, Irish Independent, May 28).
However, he overlooks the fact it was precisely those Jews who were targeted by Hamas and its allies when they attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and carried out a pogrom involving rape, mutilation and murder.
Jews like Vivian Silver (74), a life-long peace activist who drove sick Gazans to hospitals in Israel every week for treatment. She was shot dead in her home in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7 and her house was burnt down. Or Jews like Shiri Bibas who, along with her sons Kfir (nine months) and four-year-old Ariel, was kidnapped and then beaten and strangled in Gaza.
Karl Martin, Dublin 13
Time for France, UK and Canada to follow through on their ‘concrete actions’
I listened yesterday to Tom Fletcher, UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, as he described the continuing failure of food and medical aid to be delivered to Gaza.
Eleven days ago, the leaders of Canada, France and the UK spoke in the strongest terms yet about Israel’s egregious acts and indicated they will take “concrete actions” unless the Netanyahu government changes course.
Since then, the world has seen a trickle of aid getting into Gaza – nowhere near the 600 trucks a day that aid agencies deem necessary.
Surely it is clear to those three leaders, and to the 23 foreign ministers who issued a statement at the same time demanding the provision of aid, that Israel is providing optics with the paltry aid getting into Gaza.
The rhetoric from various Israeli government ministers clearly shows there is no sense of a commitment to allowing the necessary levels of aid to enter Gaza. These world leaders must have had in mind what their “concrete actions” were going to be when they threatened them.
Now is the time to stop talking and take action; they need to unleash their proposed actions. The Netanyahu government has ridden roughshod over every red line put before it over the last 20 months with impunity.
The world must now take firm, punitive action against Israel.
Philip Brady, Donnycarney, Dublin
Trump’s political menu lacks sustenance and leaves bad taste behind
I’ve just learned that Taco stands for Trump Always Chickens Out, and now I can’t stop seeing fast food through a political lens (‘Trump’s woes may turn into Europe’s golden opportunity’, editorial, May 30).
Take Pizza: Pitches Inflammatory Zealotry, Zero Accountability. Every slice is loaded with something divisive – extra cheese, hold the facts.
Or the Donut: Denies Often, Never Understands Truth – round and repetitive, with a hollow centre.
Then there’s the Hot Dog: Habitually Over-Talks, Doesn’t Offer Governance. All bun, no leadership.
And who could forget the Burger: Blusters Unceasingly, Rarely Gets Effective Results. It may look substantial, but you’ll regret biting into it.
Perhaps it’s time the political menu offered something a little more nourishing – or at least less processed.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh
Let’s hope penny will drop for unwitting vandals damaging the Causeway
Tourists are placing coins in the cracks between the basalt rocks at the Giant’s Causeway.
When they realise the damage this is causing, I’m sure the penny will drop.
Noel Kelly, Doonbeg, Co Clare
Leaving Cert diarist a joy to read – I look forward to following her journey
The young people of today never fail to amaze me. They are so full of empathy and bursting with confidence.
No more so than Michaela Gillooly, this year’s Leaving Cert Diary reporter, who will be writing about her experiences over the course of the exams.
After reading her first article (‘I’m aiming for over 500 points – I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous’, May 29), written even before this anxious time begins, let me assure your readers we have much to look forward to.
Brian McDevitt, Glenties, Co Donegal
US court will not hold the president back for long, so EU must strike a deal now
While it is reassuring to see push-back by a US federal court on Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to impose tariffs on imports, we should all know that Trump is not an enthusiastic fan of courts opposing his will.
I sincerely hope the EU doesn’t take too much solace and uses the decision as an incentive now to strike a deal while the iron is hot.
Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18
Clarification
In an editorial published on May 21, the UN was quoted alleging that 14,000 babies would die in Gaza within 48 hours unless they were given food and medical aid.
We wish to point out that the UN later issued a correction, clarifying that the figure of 14,000 babies actually represents potential deaths from malnutrition over the course of a full year.
It highlighted a report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, which stated 14,100 severe cases of acute malnutrition were expected to occur between April 2025 and March 2026.