Call for boycott of Israel unjust

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

I refer to Dervla Murphy’s article (Feb 9), which was, in my opinion, a travesty.

Israel is an independent, vibrant and liberal democracy, where people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds live and work together.

It is an oasis of freedom and human rights surrounded by a vast desert of brutality, tyranny and injustice.

To advocate singling out Israel for boycotts, divestment, sanctions and political isolation is extremely unjust and can only hinder the cause of peace.

Furthermore, Israel is already the target of political and economic boycotts from the majority of the Arab world’s dictators and absolute monarchies, having failed to destroy the Jewish state by military means.

The reason for this has nothing to do with the rights of people living in the disputed territories, but because of a failure to recognise that Jewish people have any right to a homeland or political autonomy in what is considered to be Arab-only lands. This is disgraceful and must change.

I sincerely hope that the good people of Ireland would not wish for their nation to support such a morally bankrupt and anti-Jewish position.

I urge Michael D Higgins to disregard Ms Murphy’s advice and to visit Israel.

At this time, more than ever, Israel needs friendship, goodwill and support from fellow democracies.

Matt Pryor
London
SE19

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, February 14, 2012