Letter: ​I’m a unionist but Irish government's stance on Israel is correct

At first glance, resetting relations with those who have transgressed would fit very well with a Christian ethos, but not when the offensive behaviour is continuing and while there is no sense of repentance.

Reading Rev Paul Burns’ letter I do not see any acknowledgement that Israel has done anything wrong. Instead, we are treated to a list of actions by Ireland that will correctly be seen as critical of Israel, but which Rev Burns wrongly interprets as being anti-Jewish. He must know that criticising Israel and criticising Jewish people are not the same.

As one of the minority of Protestant/unionists who regularly attend pro-Palestine protests in Belfast, I am sometimes asked why there is such a clear divide with the PUL community supporting what Israel is doing.

My response has been that, in part, this is because in our church services we regularly have readings where the Israel of 2000 years ago is portrayed as God’s chosen nation, battling heroically against the other inhabitants of the Middle East.

Also, historically, the IRA and the Palestine Liberation Organisation had friendly links and used similar tactics, so again we instinctively see the Palestinians as the enemy and Israel as our friend.

In view of the horrendous suffering of the Palestinian people in the past year, perhaps Jesus might suggest that we in the Protestant and unionist community should reset our relationship with the Palestinians, in the same way we have previously reset our relationship with republicans.

We had our own political conflict but found a resolution through politics rather than wiping out our enemy and destroying their towns. Perhaps we could use our reluctant political path to peace as an example to the Israelis.

Online, I am told by some that I am naïve, that the Palestinians don’t want peace, but the same could have been said after La Mon, Teebane or Kingsmill when many within unionism wanted to wipe out those attacking us. Others online tell me that criticism of Israel can only be motivated by extreme left wing views or anti-Jewish hatred.

Most of my moral education came from years of attending Presbyterian Sunday School where I learned that Jesus took a very dim view of anyone harming children.

If we choose to open our eyes, we will see Palestinian children having their bodies shredded by bombing campaigns supported by the UK and US; we will see distressed children watching their parents and siblings’ bodies being collected. Israel was not at peace before October 7, 2023 and when she finishes killing the people of Gaza, that will not change. The same political instability will remain because the Palestinian people will continue to exist and require a political solution.

I am a unionist from a Protestant background but on this issue, I believe the Irish government’s stance is correct. Let’s not sacrifice our morality by supporting a brutal military solution that cannot work.

Arnold Carton, Belfast BT6