EDITOR, The Tribune.

Now that Alicia Wallace has produced a long column on the grievances of Palestinians we shall look forward to another column on the problems which Israel has experienced for decades with hostile neighbours.

When pleas for a ceasefire are made by various groups and organisations little thought is given to the fact that the recent conflicts were started by the Hamas authorities in Gaza when on October 7, they invaded nearby Israeli settlements and killed the largest number of Jewish people since Hitler's Holocaust of World War Two. Israel had no other option but to immediately begin military operations to try to find the many hostages which the Hamas forces captured during their invasion. Hamas is an internationally recognised terrorist organisation. They do not want peace with Israel nor a two-state solution which is talked about by many countries. They want the destruction of Israel and the elimination of all Jews in the area. They are not partners for peace.

Various attempts by American presidents to bring peace to the area brought the hope of a resolution, but the Palestinian authorities always in the end refused to sign a peace treaty. Israel has successfully made peace treaties with neighbours Egypt, and Jordan, and three years ago with other countries in the region. Until responsible leadership is in charge there is little hope of the Palestinians enjoying peace and prosperity.

Israel has a right to exist as it is their biblical homeland out of which the Jewish and Christian religions developed. We need a more balanced viewpoint of the problems in that region. Israel is deserving of our support.

RICHARD JOHNSON

Nassau

January 24, 2024.