Zionism and supporting Palestine

Sir, – Fintan O’Toole’s column (“Zionism is not racism, any more than Irish nationalism is sectarianism,” October 20th) reinforces the trope that elements discriminate against Jews because of their faith.

It is a misrepresentation spuriously based on the horror of the Holocaust. He says “not to be aware of that history is to be at risk, through ignorance and thoughtlessness, of repeating it”. I was well aware of it from a very young age and it’s a critical element in my advocacy for Palestine.

The “repetition” O’Toole fears has already occurred; unless what worried him was the welfare of Jewish people alone. The genocide, sponsored by the West, now in its fourth year, was recognised as such in 2024 by Amos Goldberg, professor of Holocaust studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Far from being concerned that readers’ “ignorance or thoughtlessness”’ could lead to any repeat of such barbarity, it’s seeing Israel’s conduct and being aware of precedent that moves people to act.

Zionism is a political ideology, one that is inherently expansionist, as Israel displays in real time; not satisfied with Palestine, its designs on parts of Lebanon and Syria are manifest in the Zionist wish that Greater Israel reach from the Nile to the Euphrates. I know this prospect is every bit as threatening to Palestinians and Lebanese as crowds chanting “from the river to the sea” is to some Israelis.

Zionism is also racist; its settler-colonial ambition demands the dehumanisation of the indigenous people. Some believe Israel is a democracy because it has regular parliamentary elections (as it will next week). It is not; it is an ethnocracy whose political structures protect only one group’s interests. Israel is not governed to serve the interests of all its citizens. It is an apartheid state.

We need to take on Ireland’s Zionist lobby for what it is: a pro-Israel group within our Jewish community. Its supporters will fight its case. That is their right, as it is ours, to call out Israel as a genocidal, apartheid, settler-colonial state that is inherently expansionist.

Those who support Palestine and express outrage at Israel’s have taken the time to inform themselves, not, as O’Toole suggests, because they form judgments through “ignorance and thoughtlessness”. That charge is better levelled elsewhere.

Our institutional ignorance and thoughtlessness have allowed a genocide to occur; the task now is to bring it to an end and to ensure those responsible face justice. I’m happy to have Jewish friends who believe that just as intensely. – Yours, etc,

FINTAN DRURY,

Strand Road,

Dublin 4.

Sir, – Fintan O’Toole’s article (October 20th) is a welcome and thoughtful contribution to a difficult debate.

His comparison of Zionism with Irish nationalism is particularly apt. Neither should be judged solely by its more extreme expressions. It is entirely possible to condemn the actions of the Israeli government and support the rights of Palestinians while recognising the historical legitimacy of Jewish national aspirations.

Equally, criticism of Israel must never become an excuse for anti-Semitism or collective blame.

Ireland’s own history should encourage us to appreciate the complexities of national identity, persecution and displacement rather than reduce them to simplistic arguments.

O’Toole reminds us that sympathy for the Palestinians and an understanding of Jewish history are not mutually exclusive. – Yours, etc,

STEPHEN LANE,

Merrion Road,

Dublin 4.

Sir,- Fintan O’Toole’s opinion piece on anti-Semitism in The Irish Times is greatly to be welcomed. Such a sensitive and balanced analysis on a complex and difficult subject for us all has been needed for a long time. – Yours, etc,

GERALD MORGAN,

Trinity College,

Dublin 2.