Letters: Wise words of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel that could very well apply to Gaza today

Irish Independent

24-05-2025

These are the words of Holocaust survivor and writer Elie Wiesel: 'We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere.
'When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant.
'Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the centre of the universe.'
At this moment in time, Gaza is the centre of the universe.
Chris Fitzpatrick, Dublin 6
Disturbing similarities between Warsaw in 1943 and Palestine in 2025
On April 19, 1943, the Jewish residents of the Warsaw ghetto refused to surrender. The SS commander ordered the destruction of the ghetto brick by brick. A total of 13,000 residents were killed. There were 110 German casualties, including 17 dead.
According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the uprising was 'one of the most significant occurrences in the history of the Jewish people'.
I look at the images from Gaza and cannot but gaze in amazement at the similarity between Warsaw in 1943 and Gaza in 2025.
John M Nolan, Dublin 3
Politicians and media in Ireland distort war Israel is fighting as 'genocide'
The increasing demonisation, vilification and singling out of Israel by the Irish political platform and media is now beyond rational explanation.
A war is being fought in Gaza, which is not easy to accept as a society, but it is a war and not a genocide or ethnic cleansing as is being claimed by the media, activists and political elites.
In fact, the most inflammatory claims once fact-checked are inaccurate, false or media spin.
It is a war that Hamas and its supporters started on October 7, 2023, and continue to prolong based on perceived Western support and a genocidal policy of destroying the Jewish state. It is a war Hamas could end tomorrow by releasing the hostages and laying down its weapons.
The continued weaponisation of language and distortion of words have an impact and have destroyed any chance of a diplomatic solution to this conflict.
The constant criticism of Israel as the only protagonist and the spread of inaccurate accusations has emboldened not only Hamas, but every anti-Israel group across society.
This is now manifesting in the increase in acts of intimidation, violence and murder directed towards Jews and Israelis.
Chris Harbidge, Harold's Cross, Dublin
After camogie decision, choice should now be in hands of pupils in schools
If the Camogie Association can modernise its dress code for greater mobility, what's stopping schools from doing the same?
At 15, I successfully campaigned for the option to wear trousers in my secondary school. I immediately switched to cycling – getting there faster and stress-free.
Fifty years later, I still cycle regularly (with waterproof over-trousers when it rains), but now I find myself campaigning again – this time for my granddaughters.
This week, Irish citizens are funding a new government campaign to encourage children to be more active.
With €1m a day in public funds spent on active travel (Irish Independent, September 9, 2022), why are many schoolgirls still forced into skirts – impractical, unsafe and a barrier to cycling?
This outdated rule discourages use of the very transport infrastructure their parents' taxes help fund.
Only one in 250 teenage girls cycle daily (An Taisce, AndSheCycles).
The Road Safety Authority advises cyclists to wear clothes that won't catch in chains or obscure visibility. Skirts, especially in wind, do both. Schools mandating skirts are ignoring these safety concerns.
Let's retire outdated uniform rules that undermine girls' health, safety and mobility.
Orla Farrell, address with editor
Shortage of Irish players in top sphere unlikely to be remedied any time soon
Last Saturday (Irish Independent, Sport, May 17) your soccer corres­pondent highlighted the fact that for the past nine years no Republic of Ireland player had played in the English FA Cup final, with Damien Delaney in 2016 the last to do so.
This contrasts with the 1978 final between Ipswich and Arsenal when eight Irish players participated, and the 1980 final between West Ham and Arsenal when six played, albeit that a minority of them were from Northern Ireland.
The position is not likely to change any time soon given that eight Rep­ublic of Ireland players in the league have seen their clubs relegated to the Championship this season, which leaves three players – Jake O'Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford) and Matt Doherty (Wolves) – who could be considered regulars during the past season attached to clubs for next season's Premier League with perhaps Josh Cullen, promoted with Burnley, joining that list.
James Healy, Highfield Park, Galway
Name for new children's hospital must be inclusive and represent the island
The name of the new children's hospital in Dublin must embrace all the children of Ireland.
The All-Island Congenital Heart Disease Network is a collaborative healthcare initiative between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
This recently established network aims to provide comprehensive and high-quality care for children with congenital heart disease. Much co-operation has gone into its establishment, with surgery and interventional procedures now centred at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) in Crumlin. Other collaborative initiatives are anticipated.
The peaceful future of our country requires 'hands across the Border'.
Has Royal Belfast Children's Hospital been involved in the choice of the name? Have political sensitivities of Northern families been considered?
Let our children lead us into that future by choosing an inclusive name for their hospital, such as the Ireland Children's Hospital. I believe Dr Kathleen Lynn would approve.