No right for a cavalier, irresponsible attitude towards international law

Israel has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967.

It was governed by military administration until 1981, when Israel illegally annexed the territory. In response, the UN passed Security Council resolution 497 on December 17, 1981, backed unanimously by its 15 members, including Ireland.

Kevin McCarthy (letters, April 20) says Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu not only wants to retain this territory until such time as the Syrian civil war is over, but that it should “forever remain in Israeli hands”.

Mr McCarthy says he supports this. Resolution 497 says “the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction, and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is null and void and without international legal effect”.

Just because someone claims to have “spent a considerable period of time in the Golan Heights”, he does not acquire the right to a cavalier, irresponsible attitude towards international law. Either Mr McCarthy does not believe in international law, or he does not believe that it applies to Israel.

Jack O’Neill

Cul Ard

Carrigtwohill

Co. Cork