Attacks on Gaza - Taoiseach correct to criticise UN

THE vast majority of Irish people will support Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s forthright condemnation of Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza.

As weekend protests in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Derry and Sligo demonstrated, there is widespread backing for the immediate withdrawal of the Israeli army, hell-bent on crushing Hamas, mindless of the appalling repercussions on the civilian population.

It is also clear, as Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has emphasised, that Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups must desist from all rocket attacks against Israel.

If by firing rockets on civilians, the objective of Hamas was to provoke an attack by Israel, they have succeeded with devastating consequences for their own people. Politically, with elections looming, they have provided the Israeli government with an ideal opportunity to regain waning popular support.

America’s role in this tragic scenario leaves much to be desired. Its veto of the UN Security Council attempt to agree a new call for a ceasefire reflects the discredited foreign policy of the Bush regime.

Even in the dying days of one of the worst presidencies in US history, by blocking the UN initiative, the US has given Israel the diplomatic support it needs.

The spotlight now turns on president-elect Barack Obama who becomes the 44th US president on January 20. The key question is whether he will continue to give Israel America’s unconditional backing.

Given the critical status of the situation in Gaza, fundamental questions must also be asked about the role of the UN in emergency situations. Its inability to take decisive action is deplorable and underlines the urgent need for radical reform of the organisation.

The Taoiseach’s criticism of the “hugely disappointing” failure of the council to reach agreement is entirely warranted. His timely reminder that the Northern Ireland conflict was resolved through dialogue underscores the case for hostilities to cease in Gaza.

Any solution to this crisis must involve a mutual ceasefire, an end to the smuggling of arms into Gaza and an easing of Israel’s crippling economic stranglehold on the Palestinians.

The international community, especially the US, must do everything possible to resolve this appalling situation. There can be no military solution to the current crisis.

As the people of Northern Ireland can testify, conflict and confrontation in Gaza are no substitute for dialogue and diplomacy.