Gaza’s people are seen by the West as less worthy victims
WHEN doctors are telling of dead Gazan children having sniper head wounds, when mosques are being blown up, when IDF soldiers are uploading war crime videos onto TikTok, it’s time to realise that Israel is not just going after Hamas, it’s going after all Gazan Palestinians.
It must be noted that people who are suggesting that Israel has killed too many Palestinians should consider what they are actually saying. How many murders of Palestinians would be enough?
If the tables were turned and Hamas were in their fifth month of a military incursion into Israel, would we be soberly claiming that too many Israelis had been killed and maybe it’s time to stop the killing? Would Britain, for instance, be dilly-dallying over organising a debate in parliament on the war in Israel and deliberating over the wording of a parliamentary motion like a troop of contract lawyers?
No, there would be a very different response. Worthy and unworthy victims, as Herman and Chomsky explained.
It’s not about racism in my opinion. It’s about functionality for the West. Israel functions as a Middle Eastern strong arm for the West and does the West’s bidding and can bomb and attack neighbouring countries at will without sanction. The security of the Palestinians is never the issue. Israel is always responding to aggression. It’s never the reverse.
LOUIS SHAWCROSS, Hillsborough, Co. Down.
Gaelic games unite
IN the immortal words of Alexandre Dumas, it’s ‘all for one, and one for all’.
I refer not to the Three Musketeers but to our own Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and Camogie Association (CA) which will integrate into one association in 2027. We’ll have one association for Gaelic games where we’ll all belong with the common aim of promoting Gaelic games and Irish culture.
In one association, Gaelic games will grow from strength to strength under a single administration with a common bond between all members.
The integration of GAA, LGFA and CA will allow one association function more efficiently, effectively and inclusively. Unlike the current situation, every club that offers one or more of men’s football, ladies’ football, camogie and hurling will affiliate to one association. Consequently, it will be easier to streamline activities, fixtures and finances at club, county, provincial and national level.
This momentous step towards unity is a testament to the three associations’ shared goal of creating an environment of excellence, a product of quality and a holistic development of players.
The one association will foster the growth of Gaelic games and contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of its members. It will value the vital role of women in sport, emphasising inclusion, respect, equality and togetherness.
Congratulations to Mary McAleese and her visionary steering group for recommending the complete integration of GAA,
LGFA and CA. This is what the membership of the three organisations strongly favours.
The steering group has provided a pathway to an historic development of one association for all Gaelic games. There is now a road map and a timeline to deliver an exciting future for all three associations under one banner.
BILLY RYLE, Tralee, Co. Kerry.