There are a number of reasons why we should not take Israel as an economic model

IN his letter (January 8), Ciarán Cleary contends that Ireland should take Israel as an economic model, apparently believing its affluent, hi-tech researchers to be representative of that country generally.

In reality, Israel’s society is one of extreme inequality and one-third of its children live in poverty. This statistic excludes Palestinians under occupation and anyone wondering how “poverty” is defined in Israel will find that the reports of anti-poverty group Latet make grim reading. Whatever our difficulties, no sane person would trade Ireland’s socio-economic indicators for Israel’s.

Even Mr Cleary’s comparison of Irish obsession with property and Israeli investment in technology is dubious. Consider, for example, Ireland’s comfortable lead over Israel in international business consultant BCG’s global innovation index, or the troubled real estate behemoth Africa Israel Investments – not to mention how Israel has pumped billions into its colonial settlements and daily augments this investment against peace.

Which brings us to a business that is indeed booming: the arms trade. Israel is one of the world’s major aerospace exporters and counts us, through Defence Minister Willie O’Dea, among its customers. Mr Cleary claims we could ameliorate the Middle East conflict by increasing such trade rather than through boycott since “Israel listens seriously to countries that it has close links with such as the US”. With what results?

Certainly the Israeli government listens to what it likes to hear, but what happened when President Barack Obama asked it to end illegal settlement construction? It seems the obvious must be stated: those showing contempt for international law tend not to be attentive listeners. Following Mr Cleary’s counsel to cooperate with oppressors rather than berate them, John Stuart Mill would have struck a better blow against slavery by seeking to increase cotton imports from the plantations, the Dunnes Stores’ workers could have helped end South Africa’s apartheid by urging us to eat more of its oranges and evicted Co Mayo people should merely have sought “reasoned discussion” with Captain Boycott.

Michael Breen

Knocknagree

Mallow

Co Cork