Israel’s fight for its existence plus the casualties of war
In MetroTalk, readers discuss the killings of seven aid workers in Gaza by Israeli drone. Could it really be a 'mistake'?
In today’s MetroTalk, readers discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, after 7 humanitarian aid workers delivering food to Gazan civilians, were killed in an Israeli drone strike, readers takes issue with Israel’s claim that their deaths were a ‘grave mistake’.
Readers also discuss comments made by former home secretary Suella Braverman in the aftermath of the tragedy, where she said, that Israel is ‘absolutely are not’ in breach of international humanitarian law.
Meanwhile, can slow speed limits be as unsafe as going fast? Outrage at the price of stamps, Sadiq Khan promises 1,300 extra police on the street and how much would you pay for a tour of Balmoral?
Share what you think about these topics and more in the comments.
How could it have been a ‘grave mistake’?
John (MetroTalk, Fri) talks about accidental casualties of war and gives three examples – two from World War II and one from the Falklands conflict.
He finishes by saying: ‘Wars are fought by human beings, human beings make mistakes. In a war those mistakes can be unbelievably tragic.’
While the examples he gives were, indeed, tragic, the killing in Gaza of the seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in the Israeli drone strike as part of its response to the Hamas attack of October 7 was different.
The details of the aid and the route were agreed with Israel so the Israel Defence Forces knew of the workers’ movements.
This was not a ‘bad luck’ situation, as they claimed. The three aid cars were clearly marked and yet attacked. So how could it have been a ‘grave mistake’ – as Israel claims – or even bad luck? Helen C, London
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Nigel Armistead (MetroTalk, Thu) makes many points about Israel and its war with Hamas and its tactics in combating the situation, claiming Israel is intent on colonising Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This can all be summed up by the simple fact that Israel is fighting for its survival, which Nigel unfortunately failed to add to his views. Bill, Bromley
Suella Braverman is at it again, talking nonsense to the point of being disrespectful to those charity workers who were killed in an Israel attack, and to their families.
The former home secretary says Israel is going ‘above and beyond’ to ensure the safety of civilians and that there is plenty of food and water for the people of Gaza (Metro, Fri).
The entire world has condemned these killings, including Israel’s closest allies, and she comes out saying they’re not in breach of humanitarian law. Killing civilians and aid workers is the exact reason why there are humanitarian laws. Does she know no bounds to her vile thoughts? Pedro, Hammersmith
Three white faces plaster the front of Metro on Thursday – those of three of the seven aid workers killed in Gaza. I daresay they were on every other newspaper, too.
Maybe now, finally, western governments will see what is really happening in Israel. This was not a mistake. For them, anyone in Gaza is Hamas or pro-Hamas. In continuing to support Israel, the UK and the US are fast-tracking themselves to a seat at the International Court of Justice. Heather Wallace-Brown, Bromley
How sad that it has taken the deaths of these aid workers to make the world realise this major injustice has been going unheeded for so many years. At what point does a terrorist become a freedom fighter, or vice versa? Elizabeth Grove, Staines
Readers on how to improve our government
Simon (MetroTalk, Fri) thinks proportional representation is the perfection of democracy. It isn’t! It is compromise, weak, indifferent and hampered. A lame duck supported by minority parties such as the SNP. First past the post! Everyone likes a winner! P Davies, Ealing
Andrew (MetroTalk, Thu) is right that the House of Lords is undemocratic – but this is a feature, not a bug. A less powerful, technocratic house is invaluable to the UK as a revising chamber. Creating an elected senate with full veto power would just lead to endless American-style political deadlock. Robert Honeychurch, MBACP, Gateshead
It is all very well Richard (MetroTalk, Wed) saying the House of Lords contains experts drawn from everyday life, but how many of them attend the house to debate and vote? Terry, Winnersh
The price of a royal tour, the harm of alcohol and speed limits
The Balmoral estate says visitors will be allowed into the royal castle for the first time (Metro, Thu). That’s not correct. My wife and I had a small guided tour of three or four rooms in the 1960s. Also, as far as I remember, it was free, not £100 as it will be this year. Roger, via email
AG (MetroTalk, Wed) is quite right about alcohol being more of a problem than tobacco. Smoking only harms the smoker, whereas many drunks commit assaults, do criminal damage and cause road accidents. Owen, London
Following Stuart’s (MetroTalk, Fri) rightful view that 20mph is dangerously low in what was a 30mph area, it’s even more ridiculous on the M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Often when there are roadworks, the gantry above each lane displays 20mph, so you have a reduction from 70mph to 20mph in only a few hundred yards. I’ve never seen anyone crawl along at this speed as it would cause a rear-end collision. The Gorgon, Livingston
London mayor Sadiq Khan is ‘promising’ 1,300 extra police on the streets of the capital. This from a man who has closed police stations, causing the streets to be at the mercy of the criminal. Oh, hang on, there’s an election soon. Silly me. Ollie, Greenwich
Royal Mail is just trying to make more money out of us by proposing to cut second-class deliveries to three days a week so we have to buy first-class stamps. I’m afraid I shall do what a lot of people are doing and send text messages, not cards, for birthdays and Christmas. Den, Dartford
After the outrageous increase in the cost of stamps – £1.35 now for a first-class and 85p for second-class – Royal Mail wants to cut its second-class service. Its dwindling customer use is because of the cost and poor service offered. Stuart, Oxted
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