Jonathan Freedland rightly condemns Benjamin Netanyahu for his government’s failure to protect Israel’s citizens (Opinion, 13 October), but he could have broadened his argument to highlight the culpability of Netanyahu and his predecessors for putting them in harm’s way in the first place.
The pogroms perpetrated by the Hamas militia cannot be condoned, excused or understood, and 7 October must now be added to that sad litany of injustices inflicted on the Jewish people over the centuries. The slaughter of innocent, unarmed civilians is never justifiable. But history shows that it is predictable. Oppressed and dispossessed people will vent their resentment and fury, often in brutal and savage ways.
The responsibility for the murders rests squarely with Hamas. But the Israeli government must accept that its policies and actions over decades and its treatment of the Palestinians has fed the Hamas monster. It is as much a creature of the misguided strategy of Israel as of Islamic fundamentalism or Arab intransigence.
Israel’s response now risks creating yet another generation of Palestinians filled with fury and hate, so that the cycle continues and Israelis can never feel secure in their homeland. That, as much as the lapses in intelligence and military preparedness, is the real failure of Netanyahu and his ilk.
Seán Boyle
London
• Finally, a clear message making a distinction between murderous ideologies and the legitimate needs of both parties to security and self-determination. Hamas cannot be allowed to dominate the Palestinian identity. And the government of Israel must be open to criticism without its critics being labelled as antisemitic. Nuance matters, except to those who would shut off debate and progress to further their own cynical aims. There are no simple solutions until both groups are allowed a high degree of pride in their culture and learn to function in a cooperative manner.
Perhaps it’s time for a form of Marshall plan for the area, boosting the economic options for Palestinians and providing a more peaceful life for Israelis.
Marco Jerrentrup
London
• Jonathan Freedland’s article on this horrendous situation is profoundly moving, measured and one that everyone should read. Jewish people and Palestinians have suffered for far too many years. I grieve for every life lost and for every person who has had their life destroyed by the unimaginable savagery Hamas inflicted on innocent people. How is it possible for anyone to believe that it is right to celebrate after this? Who is a winner when so much is lost?
Victoria Gwilliam
Trevine, Pembrokeshire
• I unreservedly condemn the evil atrocities committed by Hamas and fully empathise with the people of Israel in their hour of profound sorrow. That said, it is worth noting that on 19 October 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, tweeted: “Russia’s attacks against civilian infrastructure, especially electricity, are war crimes. Cutting off men, women, children of water, electricity and heating with winter coming – these are acts of pure terror. And we have to call it as such.” If these things are “war crimes”, and “acts of pure terror” if carried out by Russia, then they must be if carried out by Israel.
Whataboutery is a logical fallacy. Moreover, if you are seeking to defend your actions by asking: “What about the barbaric actions of a fascistic terrorist organisation?”, it’s not a good look for the supposed beacon of civilised democracy in the Middle East.
Rob Sadlier
Dublin, Ireland
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