Opinion

Nothing progressive in seeking to isolate and humiliate Israel

BRIAN Feeney (February 19) is correct that people in northern Ireland are sharply divided on the arab/israel conflict. But he may be surprised to learn why many people here - unionist as well as nationalist - consider themselves to be pro-israel, pro-Palestinian and pro-peace.

Why pro-israel? Israel is the only democratic state in the Middle East. The much respected think tank, Freedom House, ranks Israel far and away the most democratic nation in the region. This is the state which Brian accuses of "masquerading as a normal modern society". i wish every state in the Middle East came close to matching Israel's democratic structures and values. Israel boasts a free press, independent courts and an effective trade union movement. It is the only Jewish state on this earth. That doesn't make it a theocracy or a state for Jews only. Its Christian and Muslim citizens enjoy full political rights and freedom of worship.

While being a haven for Jewish Holocaust survivors, victims of Soviet persecution and almost a million refugees from arab lands, Israel is the only country in the region with a growing Christian minority. Israel is the only state which is threatened with utter annihilation by its neighbours - a fact which Brian makes light of. Invaded on numerous occasions, it is surrounded today by Hezbollah, Hamas, the Syrian regime and its Jihadist opposition, all of which are pledged to destroy it. In the context of today's volatile and repressive Middle East there is nothing progressive in seeking to isolate and humiliate Israel. And why pro-Palestinian?

Because i believe in the right to national self-determination for Palestinians and want to see a Palestinian state thriving alongside Israel as part of a permanent and comprehensive peace between Israel and the arab world. Israel is only one half of one per cent of the Middle East, about the size of Wales. Yet it has made territorial compromises in the interests of peace.

There are many in Belfast who, like Brian, advocate boycotting Israel. I would like to point readers to more positive ways that Northern Ireland is engaging with the Middle East. Intercomm is sending young people to the region to meet both israelis and Palestinians. Experts in shared and integrated education are using their expertise to assist Jewish and Arab educationalists to raise children without hate.

People have a choice. Like Brian they can demonise one side and indulge in negative and divisive boycotts or they can take part in assisting dialogue and peace building on the ground.

ANDREW J SHAW

Co-chair Northern Ireland Friends of Israel, Belfast BT10