It’s a tough one to figure out. So I’ll put it out there and all answers on a postcard please.

The Tanaiste was off this week, doing sterling work in China. As I write I’m hearing reports that the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and Beijing International Airport (BCIA) are now “Sister Airports”, UCD announced that they have agreed to establish a new international college with Shenzhen University – in addition to the other collaborations it has with other universities. Eamon Gilmore has stressed how Ireland and China want to strengthen their economic, trade and education ties and how “person to person” interaction between the two countries – such as exchange students – does much to foster better relations all round.

And who can argue with any of that?

Well, defenders of human rights can, one presumes. In an interview last week Gilmore looked decidedly uneasy as the elephant-in-the-room question was put to him regards doing business with China. An unelected regime, let us remember, which executes well over 2,000 of its own people every year and imprisons those who dare to speak against it. And let’s not forget – oh, you already have? – China’s occupation of Tibet where it’s estimated over a million people have died as a result.

To be fair, Gilmore gave a cogent reply, saying that, “doing business with a country strengthens your ability to have dialogue on human rights”. And while it’s laughable to think China will take a blind bit of notice, the premise of Gilmore’s answer has merit.

But see, I’m confused. If encouraging greater trade and academic ties and “person to person” interaction is so great for forging human rights dialogue, then why is Israel, seemingly alone of all countries in the world, singled out for no-holds-barred censure and boycott?

If academic and cultural communication is good, then why did the TUI become the first trade union involved with education and academia in the EU to adopt a resolution calling on its members to “cease all cultural and academic collaboration with Israel”?

‘Doing business with a country strengthens your ability to have dialogue on human rights’

If Eamon Gilmore has repeatedly said he is against cultural boycotts (and he showed admirable support for the Israeli Film Festival last year in the face of thuggish intimidation), why does Labour Youth call Israel an “apartheid state” (an insult to all people who have suffered under one) and profess support for BDS (Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions)?