Israel increasingly isolated as more countries sign up to recognise Palestine
found itself in a diplomatic crisis this week as state after state declared recognition of a
Palestinian state
or willingness to take such a move if the humanitarian crisis in
Gaza
continued.
Even Germany, Israel's most important ally in Europe, joined the wave on Thursday when minister for foreign affairs Johann Wadephul, en route to Israel, said that although the recognition of a Palestinian state would come at the end of negotiations for a two-state solution, that process must begin now.
Sweden
on Thursday demanded that the
European Union
increase economic pressure on Israel.
France
, the
UK
,
Canada
and other states, including many considered allies of Israel, have already declared support for a Palestinian state, leaving Israel more isolated diplomatically than at any time in the past.
READ MORE
Israel is facing a new reality. The accusations of genocide and starvation in Gaza have led to sanctions, restrictions and international isolation. The situation is only likely to get worse as long as the war in Gaza drags on.
The reports of hunger in Gaza, often accompanied by harrowing images, along with the almost daily reports of civilians killed while trying to collect food under the Israeli and US-backed distribution system, are difficult to process for most Israelis, many of whom blame
Hamas
for anything that happens in Gaza. Other Israelis also assign any criticism of Israeli actions to 'anti-Semitism'.
[
An Irish surgeon in Gaza: I have seen tiny bodies ripped apart, children eating grass
]
The Israeli foreign ministry claims that recognising a Palestinian state is a 'reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza', damaging attempts to release the hostages.
Defence minister Israel Katz said the plans to recognise a Palestinian state 'give Hamas encouragement and harden its stance'.
Israeli officials also claim that Hamas manipulates the humanitarian crisis, inflating the number of those who died from malnutrition, and it blames Hamas for some of the exchanges of fire close to food distribution points.
When The New York Times admitted this week that a widely distributed front-page photograph of an emaciated child failed to admit that he suffered from a pre-existing disease, Israel termed the omission as a 'blood libel'. The photograph was also published in The Irish Times.
While international recognition of a Palestinian state increases Israel's diplomatic isolation, it remains a declarative measure with little practical impact.
But turning Israel into a pariah state, akin to apartheid-era South Africa, is already having a negative impact.
Every day this week Israeli media reported protests or physical attacks against Israeli holidaymakers in Europe. Last week an
Israeli cruise ship had to forgo anchoring in the Greek island of Syros, following a pro-Palestinian protest at the port
.
The 21-month war has decimated Israel's tourist industry. It may be decades before it recovers.
The Israeli economy has shown remarkable resilience this year – the Tel Aviv stock exchange is up 26 per cent and the shekel has strengthened 8 per cent against the US dollar – but many companies around the world are quietly choosing not to do business with Israel, whether due to solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza or consumer pressure.
This week's attempt by the
European Commission
to suspend funding for Israeli start-ups, which would have excluded Israeli companies from the Horizon Europe programme, failed, but it could be a sign of things to come.
A wide-scale academic boycott is also ongoing. Universities and professional associations have cut ties with Israeli researchers and institutions, and Israeli academics are rarely invited to conferences abroad.
The cultural boycott is even more pronounced. Foreign artists have stopped coming to Israel and Israeli artists abroad are considered unwelcome.
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Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, August 2nd: On Metro and St Stephen's Green, roads policing and Daniel O'Connell's stamp
Sir, – Following the recent refusal of planning permission for the redevelopment of St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, now is an ideal moment for the Department of Transport, in partnership with Dublin City Council, to consider acquiring the site and repurposing it as the long-awaited Metro North station. Such a move would not only make strategic use of an already-developed site, but would also spare the iconic St Stephen's Green park from the disruption and long-term impact of major construction works. Preserving our precious green space while advancing public transport infrastructure is a win win for Dublin city. London has shown how infrastructure can enhance rather than damage a city's fabric. Stations like Canary Wharf or King's Cross have become architectural landmarks in their own right, modern, functional spaces that complement their urban surroundings. Dublin deserves nothing less. A metro station at the current shopping centre could serve as a fitting gateway to the city centre without compromising one of our most treasured parks. READ MORE Is it not time for some joined-up thinking? – Yours, etc, EOIN BLACKLOCK, CEO, Ekco, Malahide, Co Dublin. Sir, – Now that An Coimisiún Pleanála has turned down a plan to redevelop St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre perhaps the Government should acquire the site by way of compulsory purchase order for the proposed metro station and leave the Green undisturbed. Shops and restaurants could and should also be part of any new redevelopment. – Yours, etc, CIARAN CLANCY, Booterstown, Co Dublin. Trump and Rosie O'Donnell Sir, – Rosie O'Donnell's distaste and 'loathing' for Donal Trump as depicted in her show Common Knowledge elicits some sympathy for the US president in the letter of Paddy Fitzpatrick (July 31st) who advises 'always be kinder than is necessary'. For all we know, Rosie has already factored in this worthwhile advice before she each time fulminates against the man who has made denigrating his opponents into an art form. – Yours, etc, PJ McDERMOTT, Westport, Co Mayo. McDowell and Trump Sir, – Senator Michael McDowell writes that Donald Trump 'is right on migration'. He declares that asylum seeking is a 'racket'. (' Whatever about his tariffs, Trump's 'helpful advice' to the EU is on the money ,' July 30th). Praising Trump's ideas, which have led him to establish his ICE secret police, is a daring admission for Michael. Europe does have a lot to learn from Donald Trump, namely, that people who scapegoat migrants in defence of the wealthy are a threat to social cohesion, freedom and human empathy. – Yours, etc, PETER COUSINS, Skerries, Dublin. Childcare funding Sir, – Minister for Children Norma Foley, and her Department colleagues need to do more than simply label childcare providers' departure from core funding as 'regrettable.' (' Parents face fee rise after Dublin childcare provider pulls out of 'deeply flawed' core funding model ,' July 30th). They must actively listen to the urgent concerns of both providers and parents on this critical issue. As a parent whose children happily attend a wonderful crèche with dedicated staff, I fully support my childcare provider's difficult decision to opt out of core funding. Why would childcare providers turn down substantial funding unless the current system is fundamentally flawed? Core funding imposes an immense administrative burden on providers and fails to adequately cover rising operational costs, particularly staffing. Furthermore, it offers no increased funding for crèches supporting children with additional needs or those that have made significant capital investments in their facilities. I urge the Minister to prioritise quality childcare and reform core funding without delay. – Yours, etc, DR MELISSA O'NEILL, Glounthaune, Co Cork. Garda roads policing Sir – The Garda Commissioner has given a forthright and honest response to the problem of uninterested gardaí, but I wonder whether other organisations share the problem of dedicated and committed staff having to carry their disengaged peers? (' Shocking: Some roads policing gardaí 'openly hostile' towards doing their jobs, review finds ,' July 31st). Have other taxpayer-funded organisations implemented effective performance management? It would be interesting to know. – Yours etc. SEAN RYAN, Mountshannon, Co Clare. Sir, – Over the past few years I've noticed more and more cars with 'non standard' and 'decorative' (ie illegal) registration plates. These are clearly designed to be unreadable by speed and toll cameras, and yet they proliferate, which surely wouldn't happen if we had effective roads policing. While the recent Crowe report on challenges within the roads department of An Garda Siochána is alarming, it should be a spur to positive action. Surely one of the early signs of success will be a drop in the number of registration plates with tiny lettering and grey backgrounds? I live in hope. – Yours, etc, MICK FLYNN, Waterford. Planetary challenges Sir, – Minister for Public Expenditure Pascal Donohoe, recently shared his reflections on two books dealing, in different ways, with the planetary scale challenges currently facing global human civilisation (' Paschal Donohoe on books that advise how to run our economies and save the planet ,' July 26th). These challenges are triggered by a rapidly unfolding clash between the physical realities of a finite planet and political aspirations for unending growth in economic activity, with its seemingly insatiable appetite for more and more material and energy throughput. I'm no economist, but as a professional engineer, I know a thing or two about physics and chemistry: especially that they do not bend to wishful thinking. While apparently acknowledging these harsh realities, Minister Donohoe concludes that an agenda of stabilising (and then reducing) global economic activity is neither 'credible' nor 'achievable'. This is on the basis that – in his view – such a vision would be rejected by voters in any democratic society. Minister Donohoe is a highly experienced and respected politician, so his assessment of political feasibility must be taken seriously. But then we are between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Physics and chemistry will certainly not yield. To say that human societies, nonetheless, cannot learn to live good lives within planetary limits thus represents a counsel of despair. I, for one, refuse to accept that counsel. – Yours, etc, PROF BARRY McMULLIN, Dublin City University, Dublin Aerial views of Daniel O'Connell Sir, – The artist who inserted a television aerial in the design of the Daniel O'Connell stamp issued by an Post ( TV aerial in commemorative Daniel O'Connell stamp is 'visual signal' to modern age, not product of AI, says An Post ,' July 31st, states that it is a surreal reference to '…the impact the great communicator Daniel O'Connell's mass rallies would have had if they had been televised.' External television aerials are seldom used for television reception in 2025. Surely a more widely used communications technology that has more impact than television, such as, mobile phones would be more apt? – Yours, etc, AODÁN Ó CONCHÚIR, France. Sir, – I have tried to get AI to draw a picture for a stamp of Daniel O'Connell leaving the GPO in an elaborately gilded chariot. It's quite hard to get AI to put in a TV aerial, AI just isn't that stupid. So, it would seem that a human may have, actually, produced the official stamp. – Yours etc, JAMES O'RIORDAN, Stepaside, Dublin 18. Sir, –The artist's explanation as reported by your paper for the presence of an anachronistic tv aerial in one of An Post's recently released stamps commemorating Daniel O'Connell is the funniest piece of mylesnagcopaleenism I've read in a long time. He can not be serious! – Yours, etc, HUGH Mc DONNELL, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. Not happy with the headline Sir, – The headline ' Ceann Comhairle attends Swiss conference alongside sanctioned Russian politician, ' (July 30th) is a prime example of clickbait news reporting. In fact, it is more a case of distorting rather than reporting. I am surprised at this type of headline from your respected institution. Are politicians and representatives the world over to be denied free association and exchange of ideas every time a Russian representative appears at such venues? Are we to cancel the United Nations/Security Council meetings due to Russian involvement? I doubt that the representative speakers from all the other nations in attendance received such unfair reporting. –Yours, etc, PAUL GRAY, Dublin 9. Not happy with the photograph Sir, - What a bizarre image for the Dublin Horse Show 2025 on the cover of the sponsored supplement with yesterday's Irish Times. A woman draped across a bale of hay. Seriously? –Yours, etc, FINTAN LANE, Lucan, Co Dublin. Happy out Sir, - John Dunne's letter in yesterday's edition ( August 1st) about kids climbing trees put a broad smile on my face. Not exclusively because of the interesting content but also thanks to the epistle's humorously apt headline –Seldom seen kid – which suggests that the Letters Editor may very well be a fan of the Manchester band, Elbow. – Yours, etc, KIERAN FLYNN, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. Remembering Sean Rocks Sir, – I was deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Sean Rocks, presenter of the RTÉ Radio 1 Arena programme, among many other career achievements. I listen to Arena on my long commute home every day and his engaging interviews with actors, playwrights, musicians and authors certainly gave me inspiration to check out the books, plays, films and music I may not have heard about elsewhere. A true public service broadcaster – may he rest in peace. – Yours, etc, COLETTE DAVIS, Dunsany, Co Meath. Sir, – It is with deep regret that we have heard of the death of RTÉ broadcaster Sean Rocks. Sean was a great friend of the arts and of artists across Ireland and abroad. Through his radio programme, he provided wonderful insights into the creative world. His compassion and warmth are legendary. It is hard to believe that he will no longer continue to light up our cultural realm in his unique self-effacing way which belied his enormous knowledge, both as an arts practitioner and a broadcaster. On behalf of Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann we extend our deepest sympathy to Sean's wife Catherine and his two sons. Our sympathy too to his many friends in RTÉ and across the arts world. May he rest in peace. – Yours, etc, PÁDRAIG HANRATTY, LIZ McMANUS , Co Chairs, Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann, Dundalk. Busy, busy, busy,even busier Sir, – On the matter of 'The look of looking busy': I recall the experience of Sam McAughtry. Many of your readers may remember Sam; writer, social commentator, humourist, trade unionist and one time civil servant. It was his first day in the Department of Agriculture in Stormont as a lowly clerical assistant. He was given an errand to go to the top floor of Dundonald House; the power centre for the most senior staff in that department. He walked briskly along the corridor, entered the lift and smiled broadly to the older gentleman also in the lift. He wanted to give a good impression. They both got out on the top floor. Sam held his head up and as he walked off speedily the older man called out to him: 'Young man, are you new?'' 'Yes,' he replied with a smile. ''Well,' said the Secretary of the Department, for it was he, 'take my advice. Never walk quickly; walk slowly. Don't smile, creates the wrong impression; bow your head and look as if you are in serious contemplation; oh, most important, carry a file'. Sam took this advice and had a very successful career in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.. He laughed when he told the story. – Yours, etc, GREG MAXWELL, Celbridge, Co Kildare. Taxing imported food Sir, – The Government should consider imposing a large tariff on unnecessary imported perishable foodstuffs. These air mile-laden, tasteless products are substantially contributing to climate change. Yesterday, in the supermarket there were french beans from Zimbabwe, mange tout peas from Ethiopia. Both products are growing abundantly in my garden in Cork. To top it off there were blackberries from the Netherlands in a year when the hedgerows are simply brimming with the fruit. – Yours, etc. TIM BRACKEN, Cork.
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on the August bank holiday: a weekend to rest easy
In 1924, the leader of the Irish Labour Party, Thomas Johnson, told the Dáil 'a man is easier in his mind when he is getting a holiday if he is getting his pay for the same day'. His remarks came during a debate on the Public Holidays Bill, repealing nineteenth century British legislation which also covered Ireland, relating to four bank holidays: 26th December, Easter Monday, Whit Monday and the first Monday in August. St Patrick's Day had been designated a bank holiday in 1903 by the Westminster parliament. The 1924 Act gave power to the government of the new Irish Free State 'to appoint any particular day to be observed as a bank holiday.' Johnson's plea was that 'workmen who are given a holiday by statute… shall have their day's pay for that holiday.' While that request was not acceded to then, further legislation in 1939 established workers' entitlement to paid leave, with six bank holidays legally established: Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day, St Patrick's Day, Easter Monday, Whit Monday and the first Monday in August. New Year's Day and the October holiday were added in the 1970s, while in 1993 the May holiday was introduced. The most recent public holiday was established in 2022, St Brigid's Day, which also marked the Celtic festival of Imbolc, traditionally acknowledging the commencement of Spring. It was the first Irish public holiday named after a woman. We use the terms bank holiday and public holiday interchangeably, but our laws refer only to public holidays. Collectively, these days arise from inheritance, independent statehood and our distinctive traditions; historically, there were rest and feast days, and celebrations marking seasons, harvests and saints. READ MORE Some may regard the plethora of public holidays, including this weekends August Bank Holiday, as indulgent. But with ten public holidays, Ireland falls below the EU annual average of twelve, and the Irish, working an average 39 hours a week, toil at a higher rate than the EU average of 37.8 hours, allowing workers benefiting from this weekend to be easy in their minds.
Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Irish Times
Trump orders nuclear submarines moved near Russia
US president Donald Trump on Friday said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in regions near Russia in response to threats from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. 'I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that,' Trump said in a social media post that called Medvedev's statements highly provocative. Trump said he ordered the submarines moved 'just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that. Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances.' [ Frustration about regulation could lead tech companies to pull back from Europe, US warns Opens in new window ] Trump and Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, traded taunts in recent days after Trump on Tuesday said Russia had '10 days from today' to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or be hit, along with its oil buyers, with tariffs. Moscow, which has set out its own terms for peace in Ukraine, has shown no sign that it will comply with Trump's deadline. Medvedev on Monday accused Trump of engaging in a 'game of ultimatums' and reminded him that Russia possessed Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities of last resort after Trump told Medvedev to 'watch his words.' Medvedev has emerged as one of the Kremlin's most outspoken anti-Western hawks since Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022. Kremlin critics deride him as an irresponsible loose cannon, though some Western diplomats say his statements illustrate the thinking in senior Kremlin policy-making circles. - Reuters (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025
