Why Taoiseach must ask Biden hard questions
THE scale of suffering and violence in Gaza is horrific. In just five months, 31,000 people, 70% of them women and children, have been brutally killed.
Around 80% of Gaza’s 2.3million people have been driven from their homes. Children are now dying from starvation due to lack of aid, and famine is imminent.
The reality is that all of this is man-made and entirely avoidable. The role the US has played is unconscionable, as the current administration has not only expressed unconditional support for Israel, but is also sending weapons and requesting additional funding to finance and sustain the siege in Gaza.
No civilian, Israeli or Palestinian, deserves to live in fear for their lives. The often-cited ‘right to self-defence’ is not a legal pass that frees Israel from its obligations under international humanitarian law. The disproportionate response by the Israeli government to the brutal events of October 7 should not amount to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The senseless and inhumane killings and cycle of violence must stop.
This week, the annual St Patrick’s Day ‘greening’ of Washington is overshadowed by the senseless violence, death and starvation in Gaza. This is a week when Ireland has unique access to the US administration. While there will be the traditional handing over of the shamrock, receptions and parties, straight talking also needs to be happen. Lives depend on it.
As a country that knows the horror of famine from its own history, the war on Gaza must be firmly put on the table when Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, meets with US president Joe Biden in the Oval office tomorrow.
There are three fundamental questions that the Taoiseach must ask President Biden:
1. The US proposal for a temporary ceasefire ‘as soon as practical’ is insufficient to addressing this crisis that worsens by the minute. Will Mr Biden push Israel to agree to an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza?
2. Talk of temporary ports and food aid air drops into Gaza are merely elaborate distractions that skirt around the inevitable. Will President Biden put pressure on Israel to allow unfettered, unimpeded, full-scale humanitarian aid into Gaza as a matter of urgency?
3. The US military is supporting Israel’s reign of terror on Gaza. Will President Biden stop sending military support to prop up Israel’s campaign in Gaza?
The people of Gaza have endured enough horror. The Taoiseach and the plethora of senior Irish Government members and officials in America for the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations must raise these questions at the multiple official and unofficial meetings taking place.
KAROL BALFE, CEO, ActionAid Ireland, Dublin. NIRANJALI AMERASINGHE, executive director, ActionAid USA, Washington.
Let us have our say
SHAME on the Government trying to weaken our Constitution in the recent referendum. However, the Government can now give the people the opportunity to strengthen our identity.
For years, poll after poll has shown the public values neutrality as part of our identity.
Now is the time to give the people the choice to vote on our neutrality in a referendum.
PETER KENNEDY, Sutton, Dublin 13. ... WITH the spectacular rejection of the family referendum, due in no small part to the failure to define what constitutes a ‘durable relationship’, surely the Government should abandon the Hate Speech Bill in its present format, as this too fails to give a definition of what ‘hate’ is.
EAMONN O’ HARA, Manorcunningham, Co. Donegal.