Dear Editor, Nuala O’Loan referred to the plight of Palestinians in the Holy Land (IC 21/04/2016) pointing out Israel’s policy of ignoring international condemnation of its activities, which include land grabbing and depriving them of the most basic human rights of water and electricity and the blockade of Gaza continues. While international condemnation is forthcoming, what about action? Surely the people of Palestine have suffered long enough from deprivation which is deliberately carried out by a nation which is not being held responsible for its actions. A recent programme on TG4 showed horrific suffering by the people in Gaza which was caused by the refusal of Israel to allow water and electricity facilities to be provided there and also demolished the most basic of dwellings erected there leaving the people homeless.
There have been many appeals from Christians living in the Holy Land for support and I find it sad that so many pilgrimages are based in Jerusalem rather than in Bethlehem. When I was there some years ago we were only allowed a few hours there. Jerusalem is a tourist destination as well as a pilgrim one, but is not dependent on the support of pilgrims. Why, therefore, are pilgrims not being encouraged to support the Christians in the Holy Land?
Yours etc.,
Mary Stewart,
Donegal town.