BDS movement’s latest actions are an affront to democracy

Once again we have evidence that the Irish Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement is populated by hypocrites.

This proposition is supported by the efforts of the recently formed Nenagh Friends of Palestine to bully the officers of the Nenagh Arts Centre into withdrawing a planned screening of an award-winning Israeli film, Israel Indivisible: The Case for the Ancient Homeland.

It is true this film is an attempt to substantiate the modern state of Israel by offering a mix of historical, legal, archaeological and Biblical evidence to reinforce contemporary Israel. However, surely this is the perfect opportunity for the BDS to debate/dispute the evidence in a logical and rational manner. This would be facilitated by a direct post-screening Skype-link with the producer, Laurie Cardoza-Moore, Special Envoy to the UN for the World Council of Independent Christian Churches.

This is the essence of open debate in a democratic society, it offers the opportunity to dispute a contentious thesis in an open forum, thereby creating informed discourse.

This latest attempt to prohibit anything pertaining to Israel reeks of a vicious double-standard where the Jewish state is singled out for a unique and disturbing level of scrutiny. For example, where is the outrage of the BDS for the slaughtered Christian Yazidi men, women and children of Iraq?

Dr Kevin McCarthy

Kinsale

Co Cork