It is the UK’s responsibility to recognise the State of Palestine

Politicians across all parties have for years given mealy-mouthed commitments to the elusive two-state solution as a way to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict. But how can they issue a commitment without recognising both states in question?

The UK has a historic responsibility to Palestine given the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and nothing short of recognition will suffice. We must follow the lead of Norway, Spain and, in particular, Ireland. If necessary, the international community should allow Israel and its allies to ostracise themselves.

The solution to the tragedy in the Middle East will be political, and only political pressure will bring about a resolution. And it will take political pressure within our own government to bring about recognition. What do we have to lose?

David Hill

Waterlooville

Michael Gove is anything but impartial in his crusade against protesters standing against Israel. Israel is undoubtedly committing war crimes – the deaths of 35,000 non-combatants and the famine among survivors is evidence of that.

Like all other forms of racism, antisemitism is a loathsome fact of life, but it would be largely extinguished, in my opinion, if the UK supported the creation of a Palestinian state; just as it undertook to do so over a century ago. Repeated deceitful promises of self-determination are no longer enough – let right be done now.

David McDowall

Richmond

As the clock ticks, and the date of the next general election draws near, Keir Starmer is increasingly exhorted to right the various and numerous wrongs of this dysfunctional government. 

With any hope, a Labour government will see a return to social justice, public services will be cared for and integrity in public life will, again, be sacrosanct. 

The biggest wrong to be righted is, of course, Brexit. The magnitude of the task facing the Labour Party, assuming they do get elected, is enormous. But with careful handling our next prime minister will surely succeed where his Tory counterparts failed.

David Lowndes

Address supplied

Speaking at the Charleston Festival, Nicola Sturgeon claims she hastily resigned as first minister last year because of the strong opposition she faced to her legislative plans on trans rights. Apparently, it had nothing to do with the police investigation into SNP finances which, not long after her standing down, led to her arrest and ultimately her husband being charged with embezzlement.

Does Sturgeon honestly expect us to believe this? That she, one of the toughest, most highly combative politicians of our time, would relinquish power simply because she met opposition over a piece of legislation? It would seem that, while Sturgeon’s not so often in the news these days, she is still trying to play us for fools.

Martin Redfern

Roxburghshire