The Language of Action

It is not often that I read an opinion piece by a Minister in the Irish Government and appreciate the intended sentiment. However, a recent article by Micheál Martin in the New York Times is worthy of note due to the language deliberately employed by the Minister.

In an otherwise average piece of writing, some key lines stood out when Minister Martin spoke of Gaza and the ongoing devastating impacts that Operation Cast Lead has resulted in;

- I view the current conditions prevailing for the ordinary population as inhuman and utterly unacceptable, in terms of accepted international standards of human rights.

- I genuinely believe that the medieval siege conditions being imposed on the people of Gaza are unacceptable.

- The people of Gaza are justifiably proud of their heritage...(and) deserve the opportunity to have a future in line with their heritage.

Emotive language is all well and good but too often is let down by subsequent inaction. However, by directly referencing human rights and the heritage of the people of Gaza, Minister Martin is challenging the actions of Israel and its claim to certain occupied lands. It is a welcome move and one that desperately needs to be followed by action - at the very least by other European states.

Finally, it should be pointed out that Minister Martin did also call for the release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier currently enduring his fourth year of captivity. This is as important an issue as the ones already highlighted and should be addressed with similar speed.