Eoin Hayes

[Salvadore]

Everyone and anyone can express a view on whether or not to open an embassy but it was the government’s view that mattered.

I wouldn’t like my government’s policy on human rights issues to be guided by how it might be interpreted by third parties.

 

[Purple]

Everyone and anyone can express a view on whether or not to open an embassy but it was the government’s view that mattered.

I wouldn’t like my government’s policy on human rights issues to be guided by how it might be interpreted by third parties.

Well I've bad news for you so; it happens every day.

Do we recognise Taiwan as a country? No? Why not?

Do we condemn the UAE for their part in the war in Sudan, Russian sanctions busting, collusion with Russia in Sudan and elsewhere and their part in supporting terrorism? Do we condemn them for their slavery, human trafficking, sexual slavery and oppression of minorities? No? Why not?

We we condemn Saudi Arabia for many of the same things and their leading role in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in Yemen? No? Why not?

Do we condemn the USA for their wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? No? Why not?

Did we condemn France for it's role in the Rwandan Genocide? No? Why not?

The list goes on and on and on.

Answers on a postcard please.

 

[Salvadore]

Well I've bad news for you so; it happens every day.

Do we recognise Taiwan as a country? No? Why not?

Do we condemn the UAE for their part in the war in Sudan, Russian sanctions busting, collusion with Russia in Sudan and elsewhere and their part in supporting terrorism? Do we condemn them for their slavery, human trafficking, sexual slavery and oppression of minorities? No? Why not?

We we condemn Saudi Arabia for many of the same things and their leading role in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in Yemen? No? Why not?

Do we condemn the USA for their wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? No? Why not?
The list goes on and on and on.

Did we condemn France for it's role in the Rwandan Genocide? No? Why not?

Answers on a postcard please.

And so what’s the logical conclusion on Israel? That while it knows it should kow-tow to the US, the government just can’t help itself in revealing its anti semetic tendencies?

 

[Purple]

And so what’s the logical conclusion on Israel? That while it knows it should kow-tow to the US, the government just can’t help itself in revealing its anti semetic tendencies?

You tell me, bearing in mind that it's outrageous to even suggest that the civil servants, sorry, diplomats, in the Department of Foreign Affairs are anything other than impartial professionals who are subject matter experts on all things foreign and who at all times act and advise in the best interests of this country whilst upholding the highest moral standards... oh, and also bearing in mind that Michael Martin utters not a word on the matter without first consulting the aforementioned Oracles of Iveagh House.

 

[Salvadore]

You tell me, bearing in mind that it's outrageous to even suggest that the civil servants, sorry, diplomats, in the Department of Foreign Affairs are anything other than impartial professionals who are subject matter experts on all things foreign and who at all times act and advise in the best interests of this country whilst upholding the highest moral standards... oh, and also bearing in mind that Michael Martin utters not a word on the matter without first consulting the aforementioned Oracles of Iveagh House.

I’ve alluded to it before. Maybe they know something you don’t. I know for sure they’re not anti-semetic.

Just because they don’t express a view on the examples you’ve quoted doesn’t mean they’re wrong in relation to Israel.

 

[Purple]

I’ve alluded to it before. Maybe they know something you don’t.

Maybe they do. Maybe they don’t.

I know for sure they’re not anti-semetic.

In my view the evidence suggests otherwise.

Just because they don’t express a view on the examples you’ve quoted doesn’t mean they’re wrong in relation to Israel.

It’s the absence of any criticism of Gaza that I find strange. If the government of Gaza released the hostages it would be very hard for Israel to continue their appalling behaviour. They could also call a unilateral ceasefire, if they were actually interested in the lives of their own children that is.
None of that is ever said by our minister for Foreign Affairs, as directed by the officials in his department.

The consequences of our current virtue signalling empty gestures on our relationship with the US should absolutely front and centre in all of the advice they give to their Minister.

All of the above suggests to me that they are antisemitic, that or completely incompetent. I hope it’s for former.

 

[Itchy]

I don't know if it is anti-semitism, or some other anti-Western angle, but the level of vitriol directed at Israel in the Middle East and not other actors with blood on their hands warrants explanation. It is a recurrent trope, only agency is assigned to 'Western' countries and Israel is grouped with them and therefor blamed ignoring that other actors are in play - China, Russia, Turkey, Arab factions etc.

I think a lot of that has to do with the level general knowledge and experience within the population. It could be seen clear as day in the general election discourse, save for Israel/Pal, foreign policy did not feature at all. Never mind RU/UKR, EU policy did not even feature! Certainly, listening to the pronouncements of Irish politicians, of all hues, you would be forgiven if you thought we didn’t have 400 soldiers within 5km of the Lebanon border!

We are very Anglo-sphere focused. As you rightly point out, Israel is lumped into the Western bloc, but for their own strategic reasons. Their version of democracy coupled with English fluency, are critical components of their alliance with the US. We use our common language the same way. While useful to build alliances, it also makes it easier to disagree. Hence the ‘anti-Western’ views of the Irish flavour of the various “anti war” movements. And probably one of the strategic factors why Ireland has been singled out by Israel in a way that other countries pursuing the same diplomatic strategy, have not.

 

[Purple]

I think a lot of that has to do with the level general knowledge and experience within the population. It could be seen clear as day in the general election discourse, save for Israel/Pal, foreign policy did not feature at all. Never mind RU/UKR, EU policy did not even feature! Certainly, listening to the pronouncements of Irish politicians, of all hues, you would be forgiven if you thought we didn’t have 400 soldiers within 5km of the Lebanon border!

And most people don't seem to realise that by 1970 around 600,000 of the Jews in Israel were there because they has been expelled from Muslim/Arab countries across the Middle East and North Africa. 900,000 Jews were expelled from Muslim countries since the establishment of the State of Israel. There's no monopoly of suffering or savagery on any side.