Turmoil in Middle East will have an impact on world

FOR many in Britain the turmoil in the Middle East will be far removed and remote. However, the consequences of the outbreak of a full scale war will have a very real impact on these shores and across the West.

Lord David Cameron’s words that “the Israelis are making the decision to act” will send a shiver down the spines of those who want the bloodshed to end and for peace to prevail.

In fact, markets have already become skittish here following Iran’s drone attacks at the weekend and Israel’s subsequent threats to retaliate.

Oil prices will inevitably spike in the event of a war. Adding to the misery that the cost-of-living crisis has already inflicted upon many.

Families are also at risk of being separated with many flights being cancelled to that part of the world.

Recent events in the Middle East have also fomented hatred amongst communities here, resulting in a spike in Islamophobia and antisemitism.

Israel is an ally that provides a strategic advantage in the Middle East but if it fails to keep a cool head in the face of an obviously failed attack, then it would have wider repercussions for the West.

All of this will also leave Europe vulnerable. Ukraine has become an afterthought, playing right into Vladimir Putin’s hands.

The attack by Iran cannot be viewed in isolation. The sooner a ceasefire is struck in Gaza the quicker tensions will ease.

If Israel is not at the very least proportionate in its actions then the sympathy of the world will dissipate. In fact, the proportionality of its actions in Gaza have already been called into question.

The shockwaves of the vicious attacks of October 7 continue to reverberate. And escalating violence, which is what Hamas wants, is a victory for terror.