“No a la guerra”. Those are the words this week by Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, in answer to Mr Trump’s words that trade with Spain may be cut off.
It is of immeasurable value that someone has the guts to stand up for international law and for peace.
‘Epic Fury’, the US military campaign in the Middle East, has cost according to estimates, already more than 3.7 billion dollars during the first 100 hours.
In those first hours 175 people, mostly schoolgirls between 7-12 years of a school in Iran were massacred by precision bombs, a strike which has not been claimed by the US or Israel.
Let’s never forget these Iranian schoolgirls and their grieving families and never lose sight that children always pay the highest price in all wars in the world.
They are the Holy Innocents.
As at present there are many discussions about what Taoiseach Michéal Martin may say or not say during his up- coming visit with Mr Trump in the Oval Office.
However, I suggest that we perhaps may first see the role of Ireland in a much longer perspective.
If Ireland maintains its position as a non member of NATO and if it would strictly adhere to the practice of neutrality (which at present is not the case), then Ireland could be in a special privileged position to be a mediator for peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.
Whether the current war takes 100 days, or 100 years, we all know that eventually the warring parties, after much unnecessary suffering, need to sit around a table and come up with a peace deal, based on justice and respecting international law.
Let’s stand together now with Spain in a ‘No to War’ practice, with a view to hopefully become mediators for justice, peace and respect for international law.
Yours,
Myriam Mac Cionnaith,
Leitir Ceannain