Letters: History will view US president Joe Biden’s defence of cruel Israeli regime in dimmest light

Outrageous is the supplying of arms to a state that has displaced over one million people.

Outrageous is the indiscriminate bombing of women and children.

Outrageous is defending the war crimes of a government hell bent on the achievement of their aims ­regardless of the cost to a civilian population or the impression it gives to the rest of the world.

The US halting the shipment of arms to Israel is an admission they do not trust the Israeli forces not to use them against innocent people.

American leaders continue to ­defend Israel’s actions despite the evidence against them and the international community’s abhorrence.

Preventing aid from reaching desperate people is outrageous. Directing civilians to “safe zones” and subsequently attacking these areas is outrageous.

The scenes in Gaza over the past seven months have been beyond outrageous.

Mass murder conducted by any entity is reprehensible, regardless of their ultimate goals.

I contest that these actions are also a historical disgrace that will be remembered for ever.

Biden’s response to the ICC’s ­decision is an insult to international justice and democracy. This is ­something we should all consider outrageous.

E McCarthy, Address with editor

Recognition of Palestinian state unlikely to achieve much in face of such hatred

Declarations acknowledging the state of Palestine will be of limited comfort to Palestinians under constant bombardment in Gaza.

It will also do little for the people of Israel given what happened on ­October 7, 2023, when over 1,100 people were murdered and an additional 200-plus were kidnapped.

While Ireland, Norway and Spain prepare to formally acknowledge Palestine with the backing of over 140 countries in the UN, there is too much hurt and distrust on both sides.

Extremists are in charge, which further decreases the likelihood of any meaningful agreement that would reduce hostilities and get both sides to sit around the negotiating table.

The ICC’s announcement that it is to seek arrest warrants for both ­Hamas and Israeli leaders is only likely to inflame the situation further, if such a thing is possible.

Hostilities will remain, with no end in sight for the innocent caught in the middle of this conflict.

The only way to move forward is to remove the heads of the serpent, and that can only be done by people power, both in Israel and in Palestine.

While most will see these declarations as an honest attempt to quell violence on both sides, some cynics think it’s a political ploy to reduce protests and garner votes.

Christy Galligan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Israel’s target of defeating Hamas is no justification for dire campaign of killing

Most would agree that the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, were ­heinous, diabolical acts.

But does that justify Israel killing 35,000 Palestinians and destroying their property? A whole race can not be wiped out under the excuse of ­“defeating” Hamas.

David Ryan, Co Meath

Our support for embattled region comes as other EU states go quiet on the issue

Ireland and Spain appear set to recognise the State of Palestine, along with Norway, which is not a member of the EU (‘Ireland expected to officially recognise state of Palestine amid conflict in Gaza’, Irish Independent, May 22).

What happened to the “momentum” among EU states that the Government was declaring weeks ago? Perhaps some countries have become reticent regarding the political minefield we have stepped into?

Peter Declan O’Halloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan

Limerick boss could use traditional methods to get his message to the players

Limerick hurling manager John ­Kiely said it was “bonkers” that ­managers and coaches were not ­allowed to get messages to players while a game is in progress.

Since Kiely intimates that neither his voice, nor coach Paul Kinnerk’s voice, can be heard over the din of the crowd, maybe they should try smoke signals.

But then, smoking isn’t allowed any more in GAA stadiums.

Or what about the use of carrier pigeons?

They were used before the advent of modern communication to deliver messages in double-quick time.

There was a man, named Mick from Kilmoganny, Co Kilkenny, who used to bring a few of his pigeons to big hurling games in Kilkenny.

At half-time, he’d release a pigeon with a rolled-up piece of paper attached to its leg.

The information on the paper would generally relate to the score of the game and other titbits he had written down.

Another report would wing its way at full-time, so the good people of ­Kilmoganny, 15 miles by road from Kilkenny, were kept updated on a game’s progress.

But given Limerick’s status, I’m surprised players don’t have miniature radio receivers in their helmets to receive messages, as is now the case with quarterbacks at the highest level of American football.

Joseph Mackey, Glasson, Athlone, Co Westmeath

Irish Government should back those seeking justice for victims of atrocities

The pursuit of justice continues for the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as the Miami Showband massacre.

These campaigns are no less worthy than the pursuance of justice by the British government for those killed and bereaved at Lockerbie.

Nor is it any less worthy than the United States’ pursuit of the perpetrators of the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York in 2001.

If the Irish Government had files that might be of assistance in identifying those responsible for the Birmingham and Guildford bombings in Britain in 1974, it would be expected to furnish them.

If a British government request for the release of such files was refused, would Ireland’s head of state be afforded a British state visit?

Why does the Irish Government accept lesser standards of justice for its own citizens who have been murdered than the UK and US authorities do for their citizens?

Tom Cooper, Templeogue, Dublin 6