Irrespective of October 7th and the displacement of Israel citizens from northern Israel the response of Israel in Gaza and Lebanon over the past year is totally disproportionate. Almost 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, one million have been displaced many times. Gaza has been demolished and Lebanon is now being destroyed. The fitting of explosives to pagers and walkie-talkies is an act of terrorism. Palestinian prisoners have been brutalised and sexually assaulted by Israeli guards. Gaza has been a prison for many years. Israel is said to be a democracy. If indeed it is, it must now compromise. It must withdraw from Gaza and Lebanon. The US has no credibility. Israel has ignored Joe Biden’s request not to seek revenge. The conflict in Palestine has endured since the last century. The UK must now intervene and seek Israel’s withdrawal. The UN must be the mediator while the withdrawal takes place. In 2024 this war should not be taking place.
