Time to reassess ironclad support for Israel

Few want war between Israel and Iran. Here are three reasons it may happen anyway, April 15

It is worth noting the stark differences in the Iranian response to Israel’s attack on its embassy in Syria with Israel’s ongoing response to Oct 7.

All nations consider an attack on an embassy to be a direct attack against a sovereign state. Yet there was no condemnation from western powers for Israel’s brazen break from this inviolable norm under the Geneva Convention. There was, though, an immediate rebuke to Iran’s defensive response, afforded under international law. In the case of the Oct. 7 response, western powers were vocal in affirming Israel’s right to defend itself. The message from western nations is that we decide who can defend themselves.

Iran’s response this past weekend was measured. The damage was negligible. In contrast, Israel’s unending response to Oct. 7, fuelled by U.S. weapons, has been anything but proportionate. It is forcibly starving the entire population of Gaza. It is destroying homes, hospitals, schools, and UN safe sites. It is killing women and children. The UN special rapporteur’s report, with evidence, points to collective punishment and genocidal intent. To build a safer world, the Western powers need to reassess their ironclad support for allies who break international laws.

Ali Manji, Thornhill

Israel starts hostilities with Iran by bombing its consulate in Damascus, Syria, and killing three senior officials. Iran retaliates by attacking Israel with missiles and drones. No civilian targets. Now Israel wants to retaliate. This is madness. And the west refuses to condemn the Israeli attack. How will that scenario end? I hope Justin Trudeau is not going to support this at the G7 meeting.

Shahira Hafez, Mississauga