Jews And Zionism
Fintan O’Toole describes “Zionism is a form of racism” as a “stupid slogan” and warns us that “Jewish people worldwide are having a terrible time” (Zionism Is Not Racism, Any More Than Nationalism Is Sectarianism, 20 October, 2026).
Last June the second ever Jewish Anti-Zionist International Congress was held in the Maldron Hotel, Dublin, over three days. Delegates include Israeli and other Jewish figures such as Ilan Pappé, Andrew Feinstein, Haim Bresheeth-Zabner, Ronnie Barkan, Wieland Hoban and (from Ireland) Sue Pentel. I attended, and can testify all of these speakers concurred that “Zionism is a form of racism”
A press conference regarding this major event was held in Buswells Hotel, Dublin, the day before it began. Not a single journalist turned up. Not a single journalist showed up to the spectacularly well-attended conference itself—not even Fintan O’Toole. Quite simply: there was no mention of it whatsoever in the mainstream media.
It appears that our concern for Jewish sensitivities must be restricted to those supportive of Zionism. Might it not seem that, whatever one’s new of that ideology, such an exclusionary stance borders on anti-Semitism?
Raymond Deane
Letter Submitted To Irish Times, but not published
Government Is Not Preparing Us For Emergencies
Most households should have received the BE EMERGENCY READY booklet by now.
Having read its 20 pages, it is arguably less than useless, and it may even be dangerous because it gives a false impression of the potential for very serious emergencies. It only refers to: “events like storms, flooding, cyber-attacks and disruptions to critical supply chains”. There is no mention of possible terrorist attacks, or conventional military attacks due our government abandoning Irish neutrality, and its failure to promote international peace. The risks of nuclear war, or nuclear accident are ignored. There are 57 nuclear reactors in France and Sellafield is too close for comfort. Radioactive fallout fell on Ireland after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Radiation knows no borders. There are over 12,000 nuclear weapons globally. In his address to the UN, US President Trump threatened to annihilate Iran indicating the possible use of nuclear weapons. Russia threatened to use nuclear weapons if its Kaliningrad territory was attacked or blockaded.
Neutral Switzerland has 370,000 underground bunkers capable of providing shelter for all its 9 million citizens. Our Irish Government makes no provision for such shelters for its ordinary citizens.
Two important factors need to be considered in planning for emergencies. What is the most serious possible emergency, and which emergencies are the most likely to occur? In this 21st century humanity has too many irresponsible leaders. As a result, even the most serious possible emergency such as a nuclear war, may be likely to occur. It is irresponsible of our government not to plan for such emergencies and keep our citizens informed. It looks like our national planners were so afraid of another publicity debacle like the iodine tablets that they took the option of doing virtually nothing. Proper emergency planning is a deadly serious matter for the people of Ireland and all of humanity.
Meanwhile two aircraft most likely on contract to US military landed at Shannon Airport today, coming from US bases near El Paso and Seattle.
Edward Horgan, Castletroy, Limerick, .
Letter published in Irish Daily Mail [6.10.26].
