Ridiculous assertion that the IPSC doesn’t use intimidation as a tactic

The ridiculous assertion by Martin O’Quigley that the IPSC [Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign] has never acted in an intimidatory way towards supporters of Israel is nonsense.

Time and again this organisation has subjected any attempted cultural or social engagement with an Israeli counterpart, with abusive verbal campaigns designed to frighten the proposed attendee into withdrawing.

Martin Carey has categorically stated that its members, children as well as adults, received threatening communications from individuals claiming to represent the IPSC.

Is he lying?

It is simply not acceptable for Mr O’Quigley to try and disassociate the IPSC by claiming “in the unlikely event that anyone has made such statements or engaged in such actions-they represent themselves alone”(Letters, 25 July).

Even now, he is doubting Mr Carey’s version of events.

Furthermore, in an attempt to depict the IPSC as a forum where Israelis are welcome, Mr O’Quigley cites the recent attendance of Yotam Feldman at one of its events; however, he does so without context or description.

Yotam Feldman produced a polemical anti-Israel film called The Lab: Palestine’s Blood, Israel’s Profit, so of course the IPSC welcomed him.

Moreover, when I inquired whether it would be safe for an advocate of Israel, the Middle East’s only democratic state to attend the screening of this odious film in Pery’s Hotel Limerick, It was made clear, my personal safety would be at risk even though I said I was going to merely engage in an open dialogue in a hopefully civilised debate

Is this how an organisation “that neither advocates nor tolerates any violent act or threat” acts when challenged?

Dr Kevin McCarthy

Kinsale

Co Cork