Killing of journalist was a tragic mistake in crossfire

The killing of any human being is tragic, and this is true of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen

Abu Akleh. However, Ian Findlay’s assumption that the Israeli Army were responsible is premature.

Preliminary investigations which are ongoing, shows there is equal possibility that the bullet that killed the journalist was fired from a Palestinian gun.

However, whether it be a Palestinian gun or an Israeli gun it was not intended for Shireen, who was caught in the crossfire while she was doing her dangerous job. It was a tragic mistake but not intentional by either party. Forensics should prove which gun fired the fatal bullet but unfortunately the Palestinian Authority have until now refused to release that bullet for analysis.

It is a shame that some use the tragedy to accuse Israel of being a rogue state. Israel is the only liberal democracy trying to keep the peace in a geopolitical region where autocratic and dictatorial reign is the order of the day.

Their task is not an easy one, especially when members of the international community expect them to walk the tightrope 24/7. Pastor Nigel Woodley Flaxmere Christian Fellowship

Light up, save lives

Right you are Andrew Black. Way too many drivers can’t figure out when to put their lights on. Dusk, dawn, fog — it’s a blur to many.

However, if New Zealand mandated day time running lights like Canada did in 1989 I’m guessing well over 95 per cent of the cars on our roads would be lit up. And who knows it might have saved a few lives.

Mark Kennedy Hastings

Melanoma wake-up

Whilst it was a bit alarming to read about melanoma in Hawke’s Bay Today, May 12, having had a couple of relatives with melanoma, I know first hand the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

We are very lucky in Hawke’s Bay to have some really good skin cancer doctors, dealing with skin cancers every day and know what they are looking at, who will check your skin.

J Colins