PANDERING to Netanyahu has been a predictable and predicted disaster. On this side of the pond, the Welsh Parliament (without the Labour Party), the Scottish leader, and the Irish premier in her inaugural speech all called for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to suffering, save the remaining hostages and most importantly begin the desperate process of de-escalation.
Now the horror has escalated, as everyone who was calling for ceasefire when it might have made a difference knew it would. Now we are getting pointless furrowed brows and empty words from the US and UK governments.
READ MORE: More than 500 killed in Lebanon after two days of Israeli strikes
Some of the loudest voices condemning Netanyahu and against the latest escalation in Lebanon are from WITHIN ISRAEL, including Benny Gantz, who makes no bones about stating that Netanyahu lied about prioritising the safety of the hostages.
Those of us who learn lessons from history knew this was where we’d end up without a firm hand and a ceasefire. Now we are here. God help us, and shame on those who enabled and facilitated Netanyahu.
History will be harsh.
Amanda Baker
Edinburgh
ONE of the quirks of being attacked by a foreign government is that a certain amount of bureaucracy carries on as before. Births, for instance, still have to be registered. Deaths too. Increasingly, however – tragically, appallingly – the time between a birth and death in Gaza is growing narrower.
115 babies have been born and died during Israel’s now 11-month-long invasion. In the case of the 114th and 115th victims on that list – twins Ayser and Isal – their lives lasted just 48 hours. Muhammad Abu al-Qumsan had left his wife, Jumana, to register their names at a government office. On his way home, Muhammad received a call saying that his house had been bombed.
READ MORE: Palestinian ambassador says Labour ‘can do a lot more’ to help Gazans
His fear soon turned to shock and grief when he heard that his young family had already been taken to the morgue. A tank shell had hit the apartment and the room in which
his wife – a doctor – was staying with her children and her mother, killing them all. Jumana’s body fell from the fifth floor into the tower’s garden and was found on top of piles of stones and a concrete column. The children’s bodies were burned so badly, one child was no longer recognisable.
More than 14,000 children have been killed in the Israeli invasion, with many still under rubble and thousands maimed and traumatised. Still the West that created the state of Israel makes sure it has the weapons needed to invade, occupy and oppress whoever it wishes.
B McKenna
Dumbarton
COLIN Fox wrote on Monday about Palestinian politician, professor and community organiser Marwan Barghouti, who he argues should play a key role in the future of Palestine. Barghouti is a man whose honesty has been noted by friends, colleagues and opponents alike. He was quoted as saying: “You shouldn’t be afraid of others winning; all you need to focus on is improving your policies to win votes.”
READ MORE: Colin Fox: Could the ‘Palestinian Mandela’ be key to peace in Gaza?
Mainstream politicians wax lyrical about “Israel’s right to defend itself”, seemingly disregarding the inalienable rights of the diverse individuals and communities attempting to survive inside the Palestinian territories. Who can argue with a state’s right to defend itself? Is it not the right of Palestinians to resist occupation and destruction?
Keir Starmer talks about a “clear and urgent need for a ceasefire”, however the UK continues to supply parts used in F-35 fighter jets to Israel, inflicting abject misery and terror on innocent Palestinians. This is in direct contrast to the will of the people across the UK, who want to see an end to the conflict.
While his approval ratings plummet to abysmal lows, here’s a tip for Keir: improve your policies by demanding an immediate ceasefire and the release of Marwan Barghouti.
Ally Maxwell
Leith
BOBBY Brennan in his Saturday letter asks what Israeli athlete could wear his country’s colours with pride. Disturbingly, the Israeli public seems all too happy to see their country inflict appalling violence against Palestinians, or other Arabs. The response to the exploding pagers in Lebanon by Israelis on social media has been joking and celebratory about what can only be described as a despicable act of terrorism.
Last April I wrote a letter mentioning a documentary by the excellent American journalist Abby Martin. In one part of the film, she did “vox pops” in Jerusalem with ordinary passing Israeli citizens. I wrote “Almost without exception, fully aware they were speaking to camera, people blithely said ‘The Arabs need to die’, or words to that effect.” This was well before the current outbreak of violence in Gaza.
The sad fact is that most Israelis seem perfectly proud of what their government and military are doing to their Arab neighbours. And yet our government supports them to the hilt.
Robert Moffat
Penicuik
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