Sir, – As the deadline has not yet been passed for Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan to grant visas to the Gazan students accepted by our universities but unable to travel to Ireland to take their places due to visa refusals, I ask Micheál Martin and Simon Harris to re-evaluate the Government’s position on this issue.
The UK government under Andy Burnham has finally come to its senses regarding Palestine, with foreign secretary Ed Miliband announcing sanctions on the illegal Israeli West Bank settlements. This is progress.
Ireland has traditionally had progressive policies towards Palestine/Israel. However, when faced with the opportunity to support a group of young students from the destroyed territory of Gaza, it is inhumane and retrogressive to refuse these visas. Are we going backwards regarding our former and long-term principles in supporting justice for the Palestinians of Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem?
It seems so. – Yours, etc,
CYNTHIA CARROLL,
Newport,
Co Tipperary.