Businessman Trump shows a different way out of Gaza maze

Greg Sheridan is spot-on with his commentary on President Trump’s latest sensational announcement (“Some method in the madness”, 6/2).

This is just the opening move on his chessboard. When the world settles its feathers, it might also start thinking outside the box that contains “a two-state solution and nothing else will do”.

It’s taken a businessman’s way of approaching the problem to finally provoke a wider discussion. Penny Wong’s rigid narrow ideology is suddenly looking tired, out of date and inadequate.

Julie Winzar, Palm Beach, Qld

The hugely novel idea floated by President Trump regarding the relocation of the population of Gaza and its rebuilding has got everyone talking about the Gazans and their rights, and the ridiculous notion of ethnic cleansing if they are relocated.

Why hasn’t anyone suggested asking the Gazans what they would choose to do if they had a choice, stay or go?

Greta Grossberg, Main Beach, Qld

Trump’s proposal for the Gaza Strip resonates with all who truly seek peace in this troubled region. The classic two-state solution has failed spectacularly, so there is a strong argument to take the road less travelled.

I just came back from a trip to Singapore where I saw what can be done with hard work and good will. Today’s vibrant Singapore is a far cry from its humble beginnings as a sleepy fishing village. The city-state of Singapore, like Gaza, sits in a small territory. To compensate for the lack of hinterland, Singapore turned to the world.

Social and economic stability, zero tolerance to inflammatory speech, rule of law and governance have led to the rise of a global financial hub. Today’s Singapore GDP per capita is one of the highest in the world. If Lee Kuan Yew, widely regarded as the founding father of modern Singapore, made it happen, why not Donald Trump?

Singapore’s success story shows that dreams can come true. Gaza’s reality is messy and the road ahead is bumpy – but now we have a pathway for a brighter future.

Suzana Lifschitz, Caulfield North, Vic

Inhuman suggestion

It was so moving to see the thousands of Palestinians who were finally allowed to return to their homes, most of which were a pile of bombed-out rubble. A measure of peace has returned after 15 months of destruction and enormous suffering, resulting in the death of 47,000 civilians.

It was unbelievable to hear that President Trump proposed that the United States would take over Gaza and expel its population of some two million people to make way for a reconstruction of an area that would be the United States-approved Riviera of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Forcibly removing people from their lands has a long history, as we know only too well in Australia. At the end of World War II, my father, who hailed from the Lemko region in the Carpathian Mountains, was a victim of a forced resettlement from southeast Poland.

Ethnicity-based cleansing is inhuman and against all democratic principles.

Ed Sianski, West Moonah, Tas

Wrong time for politics

The headline, “Her way or no way: Clover snubs talks” (7/2), could more accurately be, “Clover snubs the Jewish community”.

At a very critical time, the lord mayor plays politics. It is all about her. The concept of equivalence with Islamophobia is ridiculous. The Great Synagogue, in the centre of Sydney, was a listed target. Other synagogues, private homes and cars have been the subject of appalling attacks. Stop playing politics and join the mayors in condemning anti-Semitism.

Dennis Bluth, Cammeray, NSW

Tax break for lunch

Peter Dutton’s proposal to give small businesses a tax deduction on lunches for potential clients, current customers or staff reached hue-and-cry proportions in parliament. What is clear is the scant business knowledge of the Labor caucus.

A tax deduction is not a free handout. Dutton’s proposal is good economics, giving choices and boosting small business in urban and regional centres, and growing the hospitality businesses, which are continually at risk of going bankrupt under Labor’s policies.

More monies will be spent by small businesses, more lunchtime trade and therefore more taxes for the government from the hospitality businesses.

Lesley Mackie, Deception Bay, Qld

Wind turbine collapse

A single wind turbine collapses and there are calls for an audit of all turbines (“Giant wind turbine collapses during storm”, 7/2).

Perhaps a few grazing rabbits were threatened? Are the same people going to call for audits of every truck the next time a single truck has an accident?

Ross Hudson, Mount Martha, Vic