THANKS to Margaret Forbes (Letters, Jan 31) for daring to take on a subject that most have been reluctant to talk about for fear of accusations of antisemitism.
I agree wholeheartedly with her.
Before anyone levels that charge at me, I would point out that my first encounter with any Jewish person was at the age of three when my parents befriended two young Jewish refugees from Germany during the war. They were made to feel part of the family whenever they visited, and I loved them dearly for their kindness to me. Since then, I and my family have had other Jewish friends, even including at one time the great pianist Myra Hess.
Slightly more recently, as a student, I well remember the feeling of exhilaration as we left the cinema after seeing the film Exodus. It was a feeling of justice being done at last to a people who for centuries had suffered persecution and displacement and would now have a land to call home, where they could live in peace.
Sadly, that did not last, and now with hindsight, we can see the arrogance of the so-called Great Powers – in particular with the vestiges of British imperialism – in deciding which parcels of land resident peoples would keep or lose, as they drew the boundaries to accommodate their own ideas of a settlement. No thought at that point was given to the wishes or traditions of those being displaced.
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What has puzzled me, however, for many years is how Jewish people, having finally had worldwide backing to have the security of a permanent home, can now be treating those they displaced in exactly the same way as they themselves were for so long. Has experience not taught them anything? Moreover, when the scales are so weighted in their favour, in terms of military might and international support, can they not understand how the displaced Palestinians feel and consider them with compassion? The Israeli government has been treating the Palestinians to the same oppression, displacement and persecution as Jewish people suffered in the past.
This is not a question of antisemitism, but of common humanity. From my earliest days, I was taught the maxim “do as you would be done by”. Instead of persecuting others as they were themselves in the past, the Israeli government needs to find a way to give the Palestinians the same kind of solution that they were given. Until that happens, what hope will they ever have of living in peace, free from the threat of suicide bombers etc and a life lived in fear?
Perhaps the rest of the world needs to support both sides to help solve this intractable problem that is ruining lives on both sides.
L McGregor
Falkirk
AN excellent letter by Margaret Forbes deals with the current violence between the Israelis and Palestinians. Behind it lies the danger of wider conflict. America has provided Israel with nuclear weapons and long-range drones. Iran supports the Palestinians and is edging close to producing weapons-grade uranium. Using Nato, the US is fighting Iran’s main ally, Russia. The UN is powerless. Rid of Faslane, might an independent Scotland help by becoming a much-needed international mediator? In a floundering UK economy divorced from the EU, Westminster will do whatever the US dictates. We must not follow. Time is getting short. Independence tomorrow.
Iain R Thomson
Strathglass
MARGARET Forbes was spot on in her letter regarding the increasingly violent situation in Palestine. It’s hardly surprising that things have escalated since Netanyahu re-emerged in the Israeli government. He is a warmonger and heavy-handed. His latest idea is to let Israelis get armed. More guns! Politicians in the UK have linked criticism of the Israeli government to antisemitism. It is ridiculous to say criticism of Israeli government policy should mean the critic has any animosity towards Jewish people.
David Campbell
via email
Thank you so much for printing the letter from Margaret Forbes. I too am not antisemitic, I am pro-justice. The actions of the US and Israeli governments towards the Palestinian people are reprehensible. Shame on both. Then I turn the page to read another letter, “Truth about the West’s agenda in Ukraine is complex”. What a brilliant bit of writing and yes, I understand why the writer of the piece chose to not divulge their name. We are victims of the UK and Western governments’ propaganda. Well done to The National for printing another point of view, a refreshing and democratic opinion.
Jane Bullock
via email
Two letters in Wednesday’s National I thought superb. I’ve copied and will be showing to as many folk as I possibly can. They are “Truth about the West’s agenda in Ukraine is complex” – don’t know who wrote it but good on ye son, mair power tae yir elbow – and Andy Anderson’s letter on establishing OUR sovereignty – ditto.
Kenny Henderson
Dunfermline
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