We are in desperate territory and must lead with compassion

I don’t know who launched the missile that destroyed the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza.

If, as claimed, it came from Jihadi terrorists, why in all humanity is Israel not sending relief now to help those suffering so terribly, who so desperately need water, disinfectant, medicines, dressings and anaesthetics? It is a rich country, how can it stand by and know its neighbours are in such desperate straits, even, in the ravaged hospital, enduring operations without anaesthetic? For the Israeli government to show kindness now would surely diffuse some of the rage on either side and help the awful plight of the Israeli hostages.

If, however, Israel launched the missile, and then tried to cover up this terrible action, we are in such desperate territory that this act, together with the brutal actions of Hamas, shows that normal humanity is surely dead.

Penny Little

Oxfordshire

I listened to the King’s recent speech at the Mansion House with interest. I feel he got it right when talking about respect between differing faiths and beliefs as a modern necessity and a vital component of our daily experience alongside our neighbours.

But of course, the highly febrile situation in Israel is confounding us all with its innate tragic and desperate circumstances, how to articulate the right response and indeed rationalise the multi-complex problems ensuing there is truly mind-blowing.

He is correct too that there is still a wellspring of tolerance, humour and acceptance in our society, even when the populist factions of our government try to upend these British characteristics. The King is in a valuable position to make comments that can and do unite us all, even in these febrile times. We should value this and indeed recognise that humour, compassion and wanting a more just and equitable world for everyone should be an integral part of our human psyche.

Judith A Daniels

Norfolk

So Humza Yousaf promises to freeze Scottish council tax – without explaining how the ensuing significant shortfall in local government income will be funded. Presumably, councils will either cut services, or the SNP administration must make up the shortfall from central funding?

This will require cash to be taken from spending on, say, education, roads, transport, housing, the environment, and the NHS. Or the SNP will increase income tax yet again to pay for this dubious act of “generosity”. Yousaf likely imagines he might bribe some of the many voters deserting the SNP for Scottish Labour to stick with him. But common sense voters already know full well that the magic money tree doesn’t exist – except in SNP la la land.

Martin Redfern

Melrose

It seems to me that the recent letters contributor urging for increased regulation of the charity sector is drawing a general conclusion from a rare but much-publicised incident. A parallel with political parties who seize on a rare occurrence to justify a pre-determined policy, perhaps? Charities are already facing an uphill battle; it’s the encouragement and support they need.

Michael Webster

Address Supplied

Rather than stopping criminals from going to prison for short sentences a reduction in the prison population could be better achieved by teaching better morals in society to prevent more people from breaking the law in the first place. Prison should be a deterrent, not the sole solution.

Jonathan Longstaff

East Sussex

We are making sacrifices to fund our grandson’s attendance at a private school because his state school found him “impossible to teach” when they did not have the skills or necessary resources to cope with his deafness.

In increasing the fees by adding VAT the Labour Party is doubly penalising the vulnerable since many families who are already struggling to pay fees will have to either cast their children back into a system which doesn’t have the necessary resources or abandon careers to teach children at home with all of the accompanying social disadvantages.

An exemption should be made for such children.

Sue Jarvis

Fawsley