Our relationships with Middle East leaders needs to be re-assessed

Thank you Gerard Howlin for distilling the Middle East problem so eloquently and astutely. (‘Verbal attacks on Israel encourage the killing of Jews in Europe’, Irish Examiner, January 14).

“The failure of the Arab states to give leadership and legitimacy to their own people” is never openly recognised or criticised.

Is it because we persist in negotiations and even partnership with these governments, thereby giving them important legitimacy?

Is this because of our need of oil? Could this begin to change at this time of lowering oil prices and new means of production?

All the while Israel continues to defend itself, to develop the desert by means other than oil and to represent in the Middle East the values and prosperity of the western world.

So often we, who share those same values, chose to align ourselves with the enemies of Israel, in particular in trying to defend the Palestinians.

Our efforts to help the impoverished in the Middle East might be better spent supporting Israel and negotiating with Middle Eastern autocracies, theocracies and tribes for more democracy and social welfare in their own people.

Rather than drones, this is perhaps the talking that needs to replace the fighting. Have we got the courage and the skilled diplomacy to do this?

Joyce Anderson

Knockleigh

Belgooly

Co Cork