Israel mistake

All through the Gaza conflict the US Government has been fulsome in its backing for Israel and its leader Benjamin Netanyahu, as expressed in your report (11 April, pp18).

Firstly for Israel’s “act of self defence” after the despicable Hamas incursions in October. Secondly for backing the escalation of the war to crush Hamas and free Israeli hostages despite mission creep by Israel. Thirdly through US air attacks on Houthi rebels to prevent attacks on shipping designed by Iran’s proxy to force a ceasefire in Gaza.

The steady flow of US arms has saved the Netanyahu regime, already weak and likely have fallen if the war had not started. Now President Biden has finally lost patience after calling repeatedly for pauses and, far too late, a ceasefire allowing more humanitarian aid to be distributed freely and negotiations to progress to free Israeli hostages.

US arms have facilitated the deaths of over 30,000 Gaza residents, most of whom were women and children, and the displacement and humanitarian catastrophe affecting over 2 million.

In December a Yougov poll showed UK citizens were in favour of a ceasefire but Labour and the Tories were still requesting a humanitarian pause until a few weeks ago. Some, like me, (Letters 16 January) called for an end to US arms exports to Israel months ago yet the UK and US Government’s continue to be complicit in the atrocities.

Ukraine has lost out due to the Republican Party’s blocking of military aid partly because attention has focused to the Middle East. Even so Biden now looks even more of a lame duck president who persists in backing the wrong man. Another Trump presidency just got more likely. Neil Anderson

Edinburgh