R Goodchild, Brunswick Heads
I think it’s time the readers of the anti-Israel letters, which are published almost every week, consider the true meaning of the words ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid’.
It is easy for those writers to throw such provocative words at Israel, conjuring up horrendous images of mass murder. However, given the context in which they use these pejoratives, it follows that the Hamas government of Gaza is also carrying out ‘genocide’ against Israelis with their ongoing rocket fire into civilian areas.
Palestinians live, work, study, get medical treatment and are members of parliament in Israel. This is not apartheid.
Israel controls its borders to prevent suicide bombers and those who are a threat from getting in. All countries do the same. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an extremely complicated issue. I just don’t see how using such derogatory words to stir up hatred against Israel can lead to a humane or peaceful resolution.
Mr Goodchild, I completely agree with you. Week in, week out it is very rare in the Echo to not read some hate filled post about Israel, usually full of emotion with very little facts. One of the usual suspects last week went as far as posting about falling from a ladder to bring up a hate filled message about Israel. Any excuse and there are no limits. This does nothing to move towards peace and people like this are part of the problem instead of part of the solution.
Gareth Smith’s comments and rhetoric lack any semblance to fact or reality. All Israelis enjoy equality regardless or ethnicity, religion, gender or age. For five consecutive years, Israel remains the 11th happiest Country according to the UN annual World Happiness Report. This statistic includes all Israeli citizens of which 21% are Arab. I am tired of this continued rhetoric and vilification, particularly from those who have never visited Israel, Gaza or the so called “Territories”. How dare they comment without any knowledge of life in Israel. It is the height of white, superiority and arrogance. This arrogance combined with their ignorance is pathetic. They are interested in helping no one, especially the Palestinians trying to survive under the Hamas dictatorship in Gaza. They are only interested in vilifying Israel (Jews).