Arab peacekeeping force key to future of two-state solution
Greg Sheridan is correct in observing that a two-state solution will be very difficult to implement as a response to the current loss of life in Gaza and Israel (“Recognising Palestine state would be a mistake”, 29/7).
While a possible enforcement of border security between two such states by UN forces has been proposed, the failure of the United Nations to enforce the “blue line” (UN Resolution 1701) separating Lebanon and Israel suggests otherwise. Indeed, Israel may understandably question the neutrality, as well as the practicality, of such a solution.
On the other hand, the feasibility of an Arab peacekeeping force should be pursued. Such a force, drawn from Saudi, Emirati, and other Middle Eastern states familiar with Palestinian politics, would be more likely to constrain the militancy of Hamas operatives. Such nations are increasingly keen to restore peace and trade to the Middle East.
Vicki Sanderson, Cremorne, NSW
Severely emaciated children can be found around the world, even in Australia. The selective release of images by Hamas of such children, presumably in Gaza (“Images of starving children ‘false’”, 29/7), is clearly proving to be a highly effective propaganda weapon.
Paul Prociv, Mount Mellum, Qld
It doesn’t fit their current victimhood narrative but the pro-Palestinian mob need to be reminded that their political forebears rejected a two-state solution offered by the UN in 1948, and in 2000 a very generous offer by Israel at a Camp David summit hosted by Bill Clinton.
And why did they reject these offers? Because they want nothing less than a Palestine state “from the river to the sea”.
George Fishman, Vaucluse NSW
The awful situation in Gaza is one that I feel has been largely determined by Hamas.
Originally it set out to attack Israel, but that was largely a sham and was dominated by the terrible massacre of October 7, 2023. Hamas was not equipped for any full-scale attack and I suspect that its initial move was designed to entice other Arabic nations into the fray.
That didn’t work very well, and Iran was the only serious power to mount an attack. So now we have Hamas in need of a surrender, and I believe the situation of women and children in Gaza (who would likely have had no say in the initial support offered to Hamas) suits its agenda very well in that it puts Hamas in a position to dictate the terms of surrender. And world opinion seems to be effectively on Hamas’s side.
Ian Napier, St Peters, SA
Other side of China
Andrew Forrest’s pronouncement (“In national interest, China a key ally in climate war”, 29/7) on the necessity of “peaceful, firm and respectful relationships with our neighbours”, including, by implication, China, stands in strange contrast to an editorial in the same edition on how China continues to pursue, with bounties on their head, overseas critics of its oppressive and intolerant regime (“China pursues Australian activist”, 29/7). I think this may represent a more accurate picture of how China regards us.
K. MacDermott, Binalong, NSW
In his continued adulation of China, including its dominance of global renewables supplies, Andrew Forrest fails to mention that it’s the use of cheap energy from coal that has enabled China to reach this position.
I wonder if Forrest takes into account the emissions created in the manufacturing of renewables in the emissions reportedly saved from the use of Chinese-sourced renewables in his operations. As part of his checks on any breaches of human rights, I wonder if Forrest is aware of the reported use of forced labour in the production of polysilicon, the key component in solar panel manufacturing.
Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic
There were no surprises in Andrew Forrest’s defensive piece on China.
There was no mention of the new coal-fired power stations being built, said to be around two a week.
John Field, Coolum Beach, Qld
Reality check on UK
I find the enthusiasm expressed in your editorial (“Powerful display of military deterrence as UK steps up”, 28/7) interesting.
In 1941, we expected the Brits to be able the defend us. They didn’t. To be fair, they had more than a few problems around the world. A treaty is not worth the paper it is written on. Circumstances dictate.
Gary Vial, Glenelg East, SA
Time for a big rate cut?
David Rogers posits that “rate cut hangs in balance” (28/7). Inflation was gradually falling, with steady unemployment rates. Now that the Reserve Bank’s policies have made thousands of workers unemployed, perhaps it’s time it lowered interest rates by 0.5 per cent?
Kevin Burke, Sandringham, Vic
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