Envoy dares not speak of Israel

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

THAT the Iranian ambassador to Ireland, Ebrahim Rahimpous, should refer to his Israeli counterpart simply as "Mr Evrony" speaks volumes about his diplomatic tact — not to mention his incoherent and disjointed letter (November 25).

From what little sense I could make of the ambassador’s letter I managed to decipher a claim that the two-state solution will never happen.

The ambassador’s pessimism may not be misplaced, but given Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netenyahu’s recent overtures, not to mention the strengthening moderate Fatah leadership, there is at least some home left. Ambassador Rahimpous’s categorical denial of any such hope is unsubstantiated and misplaced.

A careful reading of the ambassador’s letter clearly shows his support for his president’s refusal to recognise Israel. By referring to Israel simply as a "regime" and refusing to refer to Ambassador Evrony by his correct diplomatic title, Ambassador Rahimpous seeks to delegitimise the entire state of Israel.

Finally, what is the Iranian ambassador even responding to? Iran wasn’t even mentioned in Ambassador Evrony’s letter (November 10).

Perhaps, as the Iranian ambassador has chosen to involve himself in the debate, it is worth recalling Iran’s own human rights abuses: from persecution of homosexuals, women and religious minorities to its openly stated desire to "wipe Israel off the map".

Daniel O’Carroll
Israel Solidarity Campaign
The Coppins
Tivoli
Cork

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, December 02, 2009