I write with a broken heart. I had the experience of doing six months voluntary work in the West Bank, namely in Bethlehem and the Arab Quarters in Jerusalem some years ago.

I felt at ease. I made good friends both with Palestinians and Israelites. Yet some tension was erupting but nothing close to this present situation. The Jewish authorities seem to forget what they went through the Holocaust. What happened to them is to be condemned. The way they are treating the Palestinians in the Gaza strip is to be condemned too. Might is not always right. The USA have a finger in the pie as they lean heavily towards Israel. There can be no eternal peace in the region if the situation remains as it is.

Yes, I also condemn Hamas, but the majority of both Palestinians and Jews want peace for themselves and their children. Humanitarian aid should at least not be hampered to give the bare minimum of help to the Palestinians in Gaza.

Both are Semitic people, both have Abraham as their father. It is only greed that hampers peace. Peace has its victories no less renowned than wars. Robert Kennedy once wrote: “We are part of victory, our actions can do much to bring peace and stability. It is our duty to work for peace and do away with wars.”

Hopefully time will come when the whole world will realise this.

Victor Mario Abela

Sliema