The MV Rachel Corrie sailed from Dundalk on a noble cause to help the people of Gaza. Unfortunately the bravery of Derek and Jenny Graham is not being matched by our government's actions.
1. In the winter of 2009, the EU signed a preferential trade agreement with Israel on agriculture and processed foods. This is after a promise to the contrary from Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mícheál Martin and while the Green Minister Trevor Sargent should have used his influence as Minister for Horticulture.
2. In April 2009 Iran characterised the white phosphorous bombing raids by Israel on the people of Gaza as the actions of a "cruel and racist regime." Irish officials at that conference in Geneva walked out in protest as part of an agreed EU pro Israeli strategy.
3.When Israel used the details of 8 Irish passports to arrange an assassination squad in Dubai, their ambassador only had to endure a 20 minute "direct and frank" discussion with our Minister for Foreign Affairs.
4. Despite the ongoing illegal blockade against Gaza, Micheál Martin refuses to support a boycott of Israeli goods.
It is now time for the members and elected representatives of all political parties to show some backbone and declare clearly that the Israeli Ambassador should be expelled and Israeli goods should be boycotted. Sinn Féin does.
Response to Yanky Fachler's outrageous defence of the massacre at sea in the Dundalk Leader;
4ú Meitheamh 2010
A Chara
Yanky Fachler made some outlandish insults against the fairminded people of Ireland in last weeks edition of the Dundalk Leader. He made what I can only describe as a hysterical attempt to justify the Israeli piracy and butchery on the high seas.
Yanky needs to know that Irish people are disgusted at the unprovoked, illegal boarding of a humanitarian flotilla and the murders carried out. This is not an anti-Semetic stance from the Irish people but a reasonable view of an outrageous action. We are not an "anti-Semetic" nation - that is a disgusting allegation. To be anti-semetic would be to oppose a religious view. The actions by Israel offend all religions.
Yanky seems to offer a veiled threat to the Irish people's economy by stating that opposing the recent outrage "is jeopardizing thebenefits of a good trading relationship with Israel." Is he threatening economic sanctions against us? Israel is the one that enjoys a preferential trade agreement with the EU - called Euromed.
Yanky draws an analogy with a scenario of Newry cascading bombs on Dundalk. The people of Gaza had their hospitals, schools, homes levelled by Israeli airplanes and were rained upon with Israeli white phosphorous bombs. Israel has blockaded Gaza against all international laws.
Israeli people are good people. Their defence forces are murderers and are not worthy of apologists.
Le Meas
Tomás Sharkey
Louth County Council
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