Labour lacks the moral vision to stand up for Israel on the global stage

SIR – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rightly been criticised for seeking the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, for alleged war crimes in Gaza (“US condemns ICC calls for Netanyahu arrest warrant”, report, May 21). On the day that the UN Security Council observed a minute’s silence for Ebrahim Raisi, the Butcher of Tehran, the hypocrisies of these global organisations were laid bare.

Just as concerning is the support of the Labour Party for the ICC (report, May 21). International collaboration that aims to maintain peace and security should be lauded and protected. When this is not the case, however, we should be prepared to call it out, and, if necessary, take action to protect our interests and those of our allies. Simon Malcolm

Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

SIR – Labour’s spineless backing of the ICC offers a useful glance at our future under a government led by Sir Keir Starmer.

Pressurised by extreme elements within Labour’s parliamentary party and its wider membership, its position has changed beyond all recognition from its initial support for Israel’s right to self-defence in the immediate aftermath of the atrocities committed by Hamas.

Sir Keir’s lack of principle and his failure to support the Government’s position that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the current conflict is further proof that he is untrustworthy, weak and lacks conviction.

Labour’s carefully crafted mask is starting to slip. Philip Duly

Haslemere, Surrey

SIR – The ICC prosecutor’s decision to apply for an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu is clearly a political gesture (report, May 21).

The ICC judges must reject the application. Hamas is guilty of the severest of war crimes; Israel is acting in self-defence, while taking precautions to limit the number of civilian casualties.

To suggest that it is using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population, or committing other crimes against humanity, is a gross misrepresentation of its justifiable battle against very dangerous terrorists. His Honour Cdre Jeff Blackett

Former Judge Advocate General Midhurst, West Sussex

SIR – International arrest warrants have been requested for Israelis defending their nation against a murderous terrorist organisation.

No such warrants have been issued for anyone for the slaughter of more than 300,000 innocent civilians in Syria. It’s often said justice is blind, but two-faced? Doug Prentice

Bexhill-on-sea, East Sussex