Dear editor,
This letter is in response to your article, Gaza top priority for Bedford and Kempston voters, claims Green candidate.
I want to highlight that I have not met more than ten residents in this constituency who have raised the issue of Gaza. If it has arisen, it is mostly in support of Israel and the right of self-defence.
Like George Galloway, it looks like the local Green Party are using Gaza as a political football.
When people speak about Israel and Palestine, they generally have no experience of the area. This is both in geographical and historical terms. I have lived in Israel. There is no apartheid. I have many friends and acquaintances in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).
The story I hear from them is far from what is portrayed in the media. It is important to remember that Israel and Israelis want peace. However, Hamas has made this impossible.
The Green Party candidate said the following:
“There’s no doubt that what Hamas did was despicable, but the reaction by the Israeli army is vastly, vastly, disproportionate. I’m convinced it amounts to collective punishment of the population of Gaza”.
How wrong he is.
This is not “collective punishment” but a vital war to free the people of Gaza from the evil of Hamas. Since Hamas gained power, they have halted democracy, used their people as human shields and fostered a culture of hate towards Israel, Jews and the West.
Hamas stands against every Western value. During this war, Hamas has stolen humanitarian aid, used hospitals as military bases/hideouts and has done nothing in the pursuit of peace.
Where is the outcry for this? Israel makes sure it warms Gazans to leave an area by contacting them via air leaflet drops. Operations like these are complex to conduct, but Israel upholds the importance of life and will do whatever it can to preserve life.
The Talmud teaches: ‘Whoever saves a single life is considered by scripture to have saved the whole world.’ Because we are created in God’s image.’
It is important to remember that on 7 October 24, over 1,000+ innocent Jews were killed. Hundreds were taken captive in Gaza. Many Israeli families are still waiting for their loved ones to be returned safe and sound.
I remember being sent aftermath videos, and I still struggle to sleep at night. Because of this, Israel must have the right to defend herself.
Has Israel failed in some areas? Are there lessons to be learnt for the future? Yes. I honestly believe Israel is doing their best in a situation they don’t want to be in.
Jakob Whiten,
Kempston
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