Sir, – The reason the rest of the world is reacting with hostility to Donald Trump’s decision is that this brash decision is not his nor Israel’s alone to make. There is another party whose wishes must be considered: the Palestinians.
A key announcement such as this can only be workable if it arises from dialogue and agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, because Palestinians also claim Jerusalem as their capital.
That’s what world leaders and the United Nations resolutions have been aligned on.
President Trump’s decision on Jerusalem will likely be seen as a historic mistake, making a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians that much more difficult to achieve.
Dialogue and agreement are the only ways forward in divided societies. – Yours, etc,
RICHARD COFFEY,
Terenure,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – Having failed to foment war in the Far East, Donald Trump seems now intent on stoking the fires of hate in the Middle East.
His crazy decision to recognise the holy city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel flies in the face of international law and is the equivalent of tossing a lighted match into an ammunitions factory.
Surely he knew that such a decision would not just infuriate the Palestinian people but also all Arab and Muslim people worldwide.
The consequences may well prove cataclysmic.
And can it really be possible that the American people do not see that their president is a grave danger to the peace and stability of the planet?
They should immediately set about removing him from office. The sooner they do this the better it will be for themselves and all humanity. – Yours, etc,
GEAROID KILGALLEN,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – No doubt Mr Trump consulted with his friends in Russia about this political move. After all, they have moved their capital to both Washington and London. – Yours, etc,
EUGENE TANNAM,
Firhouse,
Dublin 24.