Dear Editor,
As a medic who spent a significant part of my career living and working within Lebanon, I’ve been profoundly disheartened by the ongoing Israeli aggression in Lebanon and Gaza. A poignant Lebanese Arabic phrase comes to mind – “to’borni”, a term of endearment which translates essentially to “I wish to die before you, as life without you is unimaginable.”
Regrettably, this phrase now carries a burden of sadness. Over the past year, innumerable families in both Lebanon and Gaza have been coerced into bidding premature goodbyes to their innocent ones, victims of relentless and mindless violence.
Equally, I recall the victims of the Hamas assaults on October 7th, whose families persist in bearing a comparable sorrow.
The continuing death toll can not be the solution. Yours sincerely,
Dr Ralph Hurley O’Dwyer,
Dublin 6, Rathmines.
In other matters, will the latecoming Ford Explorer make an unbelievably impressive entrance to the EV market? Apparently, hugging has health benefits, but the majority of people labour with it. Listen to a tale from an Airbnb host about the time when two sisters demanded that the Bord Gáis emergency services be contacted due to an overheated radiator. Lastly, keep in mind not to discount Gráinne Seoige – the concept of a celebrity nominee originated with Jack Lynch.