Dear Sir,
The actions of the United States, in terms of airdropping supplies to the famished citizens of Gaza, underscore Israel’s blatant disregard for international humanitarian law. Resorting to airdrops is indicative of a profound humanitarian crisis, despite its potential dangers, high cost and doubtful efficacy in reaching those who are in dire need.
Israel has the ability to allow direct access for aid through road across Gaza, but instead has opted to reduce the trucks delivering aid by 40% over the previous month, and completely cut off humanitarian access to northern Gaza, an area where children are now perishing due to hunger.
Gunfire being opened onto hundreds of anxious individuals racing to collect aid from trucks on 29th February was nothing less than a mass killing. Mostly gunshot wounds were reported as the cause of death according to the United Nations, contrary to the Israeli claim of most casualties being due to a stampede.
If the United States keeps supporting the Israeli military financially, the Israeli government will continue disregarding its allies and the International Court of Justice’s demands to protect civilians. Airdrops of aid do not absolve the United States from the atrocities happening in Gaza; instead, it heightens the duplicity.
President Biden needs to receive a clear message from Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on St Patrick’s Day for the already 30,000 plus casualties in Gaza and 2 million barely hanging onto life.
Furthermore, in light of the persistent disaster in Gaza, the Irish government should consider withdrawing from the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is granted participation. Ireland’s participation alongside Israel would signal approval and normalisation of the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, despite calls for a ceasefire globally and concerns raised by the International Court of Justice. This year’s exclusion of Russia from the contest following its assault on Ukraine displays Eurovision’s potential for taking a moral stand. Should Israel be allowed to participate, it would reflect hypocrisy and continued immunity for Israel. Ireland’s withdrawal would send a strong message of our commitment to human rights, respect for international law and our solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Respectfully,
Mary Brennan &
Caoimhe de Barra,
CEO, Trócaire,
Maynooth,
County Kildare.