Sadly, the search for understanding goes on

KENNY Macaskill’s excellent article (“Why I changed my mind about Israel and anti-semitism”, The Herald, April 3) reminded me of the question I would be asked: “Why pick on the Israelis when injustice and oppression are to be witnessed all over the world? Surely antisemitism is the answer.” I would respond by pointing out that my concerns ranged well beyond Palestine and Israel, the dreadful living conditions of the workers in the tea gardens of the Darjeeling Hill Country for instance. But no, that was not an acceptable answer. It had to be anti-semitism.

I would then try to describe the two totally unexpected twists of fate which led me to visit Palestine and Israel several times throughout the first decade of this century: visits during which I met and got to know members of the Anglican and Lutheran Palestinian Churches and of their suffering. I would then explain that I had met many Israeli Jews who were as appalled as I was at their fellow citizens’ treatment of the Palestinians. But still no understanding emerged. The wall between us remained as tragic as the one which separates so many Palestinians from their olive trees and their fields, families, friends and occupations.

John Milne,

9 Ardgowan Drive, Uddingston.

I COULD not agree more with the views and sentiments expressed by Kenny Macaskill. For weeks I have listened intently to the accusations of racism levelled against Jeremy Corbyn and his supposed support of anti-semites. I have heard the same charges levelled again and again but have yet to hear of a truly convincing example of this most vile strand of bigotry. What I have heard, is his criticism of the brutal overreaction of Israel to the actions of Hamas, but that surely cannot be conflated with racism.

Today, as I write this, Mr Corbyn is again being castigated for attending, as a guest on his night off, a dinner hosted by Jewdas, a Jewish group in his own constituency, admittedly one that is hostile to Israel. Is this the actions of an antisemite? As a people the Jews have, in relation to their numbers, disproportionately contributed to the arts and sciences and for this they can only be applauded. Surely one can admire them but condemn the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu and his government without being labelled a racist.

Jim Meikle,

41 Lampson Road, Killearn.

CONDEMNATION of the death toll arising from the mass protest in Gaza has been widespread. Scanning the Israeli newspapers online reveals that considerable disquiet has also been expressed by the Israeli public in leading articles, op-eds and public demonstrations. However, as of Saturday evening, Hamas, the terrorist group openly seeking to destroy Israel, acknowledged that five of the dead arising from the so-called “March of Return” were its own gunmen. Drawn from precedent this early admission may yet prove to be a conservative figure as previous comparable incidents have proven years later when the true figures were eventually admitted to approximate to early Israeli accounts. I am reserving judgment as the picture is no longer black and white, the implication being that the “peaceful” march was a cover-up to allow armed gunmen to breach the security fence in order to inflict maximum fatalities amongst Israeli citizens.

M Green,

Ayr Road, Glasgow.