Praising Israel

John Watkins (Letters, January 22), outrageously implied that democratic Israel commits human rights abuses; I doubt he is able to name one of them. Why pick on Israel when, within immediate proximity to that country, Arabs perform FGM (Female genital mutilation) on little girls, women have no freedom, have no equal rights with men, must obey their husband and sons, are not allowed to play sport or to vote, are required to wear the stifling burqa, and husbands have the right to beat their wife as do their sons. Israel allows none of these horrors.

What have Palestinians contributed to the world other than mayhem? Meanwhile, Israel is busy producing over a hundred inventions, including drugs that have benefited mankind enormously.

Watkins can Google the subject and become fully educated in the truth. He could make the search on his Israeli-invented cellphone. Lynette Gautier, Auckland Like Mike Vinsen (Letters, January 22) I am disgusted with Murray McCully’s backing of Palestine’s claim to East Jerusalem over Israel’s, and have resigned my membership of the National Party.

What is abhorrent is McCully’s continued insistence that the UN resolution was consistent with New Zealand’s long term position on the issue. It was nothing of the sort.

In a 2010 statement to the UN McCully said:

‘‘We believe that direct negotiations, with both parties at the same table, are the only way to resolve the conflict. … We ask that Israel heed the international community’s unanimous call to extend the moratorium on settlements and enable an atmosphere for direct negotiations to continue.’’

Denying Jewish rights to East Jerusalem, and pre-determining the borders of a Palestinian state, are major departures from New Zealand policy, and completely one-sided. What we see is a New Zealand Government which is incrementally changing policy relating to Israel. Max Shierlaw, Lower Hutt