IN response to David Leonard’s accusation that I’m only looking at the current Middle East conflict from an Israeli perspective (HAS, July 18), my only defence of Israel is the right to protect its borders in agreement with international law.

I have never condoned the killing of innocent Palestinian civilians by Israel but simply accused the terrorist organisation Hamas of being culpable in their slaughter, giving my reasons for doing so and asking Pete Winstanley if he agrees with me.

In the two replies Pete has made since, he has merely hurled tirades at Israel and attempted to divert the debate into a head count of how many Palestinians have been killed compared to Israeli casualties.

My stance is that casualties on both sides are equally tragic and not about who is winning on points. Pete has still to answer my question.

Apologies if my letters have been misunderstood.

Kev Mcstravick, Darlington.

ALONG with other HAS readers, I’ve followed the debate about the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict with interest but with increasing frustration and disillusionment.

My natural sympathy lies with Pete Winstanley, who presents a more rational view than Kev Mcstravick who, perhaps because he’s forthright, seems less open to reason.

Quite simply, the bombardment of Gaza by the Israelis is an atrocity and a humanitarian crime whatever one’s viewpoint of the origins of this conflict.

We have the world’s fourthlargest military power carrying out an indiscriminate onslaught on what is essentially the world’s largest open prison.

Nearly 80 per cent of those killed in Gaza are civilians and 20 per cent are children.

It’s a vile act, and I’m surprised and shocked that anyone can seek to justify this inhumanity to man.

Sadly I cannot see anything changing, the might lies with Israel but their abuse of this power is shameful and an affront to humanity. If these acts were being carried out in my name I’d feel ashamed.

VJ Connor, Bishop Auckland.