Word on the Street: Give peace a chance
FIGHTING in Gaza and Ukraine is condemned by many, but giving peace a chance is also not so simple.
A recent debate on calling for a ceasefire in Gaza led to political chaos at Westminster and a change.org petition on the same subject gained 1.2m signatures.
Reporter Mark Davey went out on the street to find out what people think... Here is what they said:
Mark Johnston, 45, from Peebles, who is not working but has plenty of hobbies to keep him occupied, including a 1980s Lancia rally car, spoke primarily about Ukraine and said: “Putin has caused pain and horror in Ukraine that cannot be reversed.
“He is playing an absolutely horrifying, nasty and vicious game.
“We all need to have more respect and tolerance for each other.”
Retired NHS project manager, Eddie Adie, 60, from West Linton said: “I cannot believe the amount of death in the world. We need to stop people killing each other.
“There should be a ceasefire in Gaza right now.
“As for the debacle in parliament, it was a very clear motion and an opportunity for a vote.
“At the moment I often don’t watch the television news.”
Taylor Laidlaw, 26, from Innerleithen, who works at the Peebles branch of Nationwide Building Society, said: “Gaza is most complicated, but the Israelis have gone too far and are causing a massive humanitarian crisis.
“Obviously they were attacked but there definitely should be an immediate ceasefire.
“I also support the Ukrainians 100 per cent and we should help them militarily and with their refugees.”
Former restaurateur, Sheila Robson, in her 60s, from Melrose, who used to run Marmions, said: “War is futile and there should be a ceasefire in Gaza now.
“By waging war in Ukraine, Putin has shown himself to be a terrible evil man and we should be aiding the Ukrainians more because it will be so bad if he succeeds.
“My friend, with me today, is from Lithuania and Putin is threatening them too.” Elena Kerr, 44, from Laman
cha, is a Doula practitioner who gives emotional and practical support to mumsto-be.
Ms Kerr said: “There should be an immediate ceasefire and the global community must unite and co-operate in creating a two-state solution for the Palestinians and Israelis.
“Plus all the participants
“I cannot believe the amount of death in the world. We need to stop people killing each other.”
in Gaza must be accountable for human rights.
“At the moment we also need to support Ukraine both politically and militarily.”
Retired design and technology teacher, Emma Cavalier, 56, from Lauder, said: “The Gazan situation is so very sad and no-one is standing up for the people who are getting hurt.
“It is a hugely complicated problem in the Middle East.
“The peoples have lived there for 1,000s of years but they need to be able to live together without troubles.
“There needs to be a protected Palestinian area.”