Referencing both philosopher Hegel and poet William Blake, he distils the fundaments of conflict down to two key contrasting modes of behaviour as embodied and enacted by Blake’s mythical figures Urizen and Orc and their cyclical propensity to ever-enduring conflict.
His analogy hits the mark with depressing accuracy regarding the current catastrophic carnage in the Middle East.
Unfortunately, his endearing exhortation for a shift towards dialogue rather than dialectical engagement as “one way of escaping entrapment in this vicious cycle” seems more than a tad elusive, despite Anthony Blinken as “the possible overseer of such a process”.
Given the age-old conflicted tapestry of social, political, ethnic and colonial dynamics of the Middle East, all manipulated by the variegated proxy players and their perennial machinations towards self-interest, the chances of a dialogic solution seems remote.
No quotient of urbanity will likely cut the mustard.
The history of US protectionism as acted out in Korea, Vietnam, Central and South America, Afghanistan and other places seriously challenges the notion that they could rise to anything like a neutrally satisfying outcome.
Funding Israel constantly to the hilt and furnishing endless armaments to boot, could the US really be considered an honest broker in the scheme of things – these terrible and terrifying things?
Hope is undoubtedly a fine thing, but truth must first out to expose the core realities before Orc or Urizen can ever contemplate settling down in harmony.
Jim Cosgrove, Lismore, Co Waterford
Cutting bombing of Gaza from 24 hours a day to 20 – how very considerate
I understand Israel has agreed to reduce its bombardment of Gaza from 24 hours a day to a mere four. What a wonderful humanitarian gesture.
Kieran Furey, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Hypocrisy of dithering EU states in continuing to use the ‘Ode to Joy’ anthem
As the massacre of the innocents continues in the Middle East, the EU states, by and large, stand idly by.
As Beethoven was a strong defender of the weak and a powerful advocate for justice, the EU must now be prohibited from using his symbol of hope, peace and fellowship, Ode to Joy, as its anthem. The hypocrisy is unbearable and unforgivable.
Jim O’Sullivan, Rathedmond, Sligo
World leaders should look to the Treaty of Versailles and goodwill may prevail
Peace without victory was the underlying concern of US president Woodrow Wilson when he, Clemenceau of France and Lloyd George of Britain tried to draw up a peace settlement at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919/20 at the end of World War I.
Known as the Versailles Settlement, it consisted of five separate treaties signed with each of the enemy powers and was dominated by America, Britain and France. Wilson hoped for a treaty founded on principle, not on the selfish interests of the victors.
US president Joe Biden and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak would do well to reflect on the views of Wilson.
When Mr Sunak visited Israel after the horrific attack by Hamas, he shook hands with Benjamin Netanyahu and said: “We hope you win.”
However, the Treaty of Versailles failed for many reasons. JM Keynes, a distinguished Cambridge economist, said it took little account of the economic structure of Europe.
Lloyd George and Clemenceau had clear support from their electorates. Lloyd George could not resist the demand for revenge. Clemenceau wanted a vindictive peace.
Wilson’s guiding principle was self-determination so that all people speaking the same language should be together in independent states.
Nevertheless, the Versailles Settlement, in spite of its shortcomings, bears the stamp of goodwill and justice, which Wilson gave it.
“Peace without victory” remains unburied.
Geraldine Groarke, Drumraney, Co Westmeath
Memories are short, but I will never forget who let the unthinkable happen
When the last body has been pulled from the ruins of Gaza and the final death count determined, when ICC prosecutors make their decisions about who to charge and who not, I will always remember.
When it begins to dawn on our politicians and diplomats that we have once again allowed the unthinkable to happen, I will always remember.
When we again declare “Never again”, there will be those who would soon forget that the slaughter was conducted under American drone surveillance, using American weapons, with constant communication and in-person meetings between American, Israeli and European officials, with American aircraft carriers and strike forces sitting just offshore and that the White House publicly declared, in defiance of worldwide protest, that there are no “red lines” for Israel, I will remember.
James Beirne, Maynooth, Co Kildare
It is heartening to hear our holders of high office promoting cause of peace
It was good to hear Tánaiste Micheál Martin stand up to Vladimir Putin at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Praise is also due to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for cautioning the Israeli authorities not to overstep this “revenge” mission for the bloodshed of October 7 and thereby cause the “human rights” concept to be sullied forever.
It was positive for Sabina Higgins early on in the Russian invasion to attempt to introduce the peace talks process.
And it is proper that her husband, President Michael D Higgins, pushes for peace talks between Israel and Hamas.
Peter Kennedy, Sutton, Dublin 13
It is media’s duty to report only the verified facts and figures of all conflicts
I have been listening to the casualty figures coming out of Gaza and Israel since the attack by Hamas on October 7 and they are truly appalling.
The horror of what happened when Hamas terrorists entered Israel is unbelievable.
They killed at least 1,400 innocent people, including babies; they raped and murdered young women attending a peace concert; the naked body of one was paraded through the streets of Gaza, cheered on by onlookers. They also took more than 200 hostages, including families with young children.
Since then, we have had saturation media coverage of innocent inhabitants of Gaza being killed, including at least 4,000 children, by the Israel bombardment.
In the interests of balance, when footage of the bombardment is broadcast, surely it should be accompanied by footage of what Hamas terrorists did on October 7.
There is now growing support for the people of Gaza, who need humanitarian assistance. Hopefully, they will get it.
Those who are protesting against the Israeli bombardment must be commended for their humanity, but are they basing their protests on the casualty figures released by Hamas, a murderous terrorist group who control the news coming out of Gaza?
Why is the world media listening to anything a terrorist organisation has to say? The media should, by all means, continue reporting on the casualties in Gaza as well as in Israel, but with a proviso that the figures coming from a terrorist-controlled part of Gaza cannot be verified.
Anthony McGeough, Kingswood Heights, Dublin 24
It appears we are all too busy looking ahead to live in and enjoy the present
The Christmas season used to start on December 8. Now it appears to come earlier every year.
Nearer the big day, we will be reminded Easter eggs will soon be available in the shops. It seems we are too busy trying to catch up with the future to live for the present.
Leo Gormley, Dundalk, Co Louth
‘Scatter the rain and share the pain’ is my reading of the wet-weather forecast
Every time I hear a weather forecast predicting “scattered showers”, I reckon this is the Lord’s way of ensuring we all get a fair share.
Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9
