Israel must be held to account for killings

The recent Israeli attack on the peace flotilla on its way to Gaza was an horrendous attack of State brutality. That at least nine people were killed is a damning indictment of the blatant disregard of Israel for international convention. And that Israel could feel confident to launch the attack is an indication of how confident it feels in the inability, or unwillingness of the international community, to In this regard, Ireland has, at least, spoken out strongly. Minister Michael Martin has been a stirring advocate of justice and the cause of the Palestinians since a visit to the region a number of years ago. Taoiseach Brian Cowen, although bound by prime ministerial convention, was unusual in the forthrightness of his response, when he said that there would be serious repercussions if an Irish citizen was harmed. The failure of the USA to come down heavy on Israel, though, only serves to strengthen the hand of Israel as it continues to blithely disregard United Nations Security Council resolution 1860 which calls on Israel to dismantle the illegal blockade of Gaza. One would have to wonder what previous US administrations would have done if this act was carried out by an enemy of the USA, such as Iraq or Iran. Reports by the Irish personnel on board the main body of the flotilla have been disturbing, not only, in relation to the ferocity of the attack itself, but also in relation to their treatment in Israeli custody. That a modern State can freely kidnap people from international waters - and then maltreat them in such a fashion is completely unacceptable. The peace activists have to be congratulated for taking the initiative in attempting to focus worldwide attention on the illegal blockade of Gaza and to pressurise both Palestine and Israel to take part in peace talks. The real victims in all of this, aside from those killed by Israeli forces, should not be lost sight of. Some 1.6 million inhabitants of Gaza will continue to live in desperate conditions, their access to food and supplies reliant on the whim of the Israeli authorities. According to October 2004 figures 38 per cent of Gazans were unemployed and 47 per cent of Palestinians live under the poverty line of $2.1 a day. The World Bank identifies Israeli closures, roadblocks and curfews as the main cause of economic disruption. Israel says they are necessary to stop suicide bomb and gun attacks on its population This is the land that time, and the world, has forgotten and if there is something to be gained from the brave actions of the flotilla, then it is simply that more people will have become aware of the poverty-stricken lives of those living in Gaza. However, we hope the deaths of the nine activists can help to hasten the way to a peaceful solution to the problems of the Middle East. Just as here in Ireland, we, as a nation, were able to put behind us our historical enmities and push forward together as a people in the cause of peace, so too must the Israelis and Palestinians find common ground. But where there is injustice, there can never be peace. And as a first step to ending the bloodshed, Israel must abide by UN resolutions and lift its heartless blockade. There is no justification for depriving children of education material or of toys, part of the cargo of the Rachel Corrie the last boat in the flotilla to reach the Middle East this week. And of course, Hamas too must stop its murderous attacks.