Your correspondent Shirley Smith bleats: 'Why is Israel always portrayed as the villain?” Could it be because they are? Could it be because any decent-minded person was sickened by the Israel attack on Gaza in 2008 when approximately 1400 Gazans (including over 300 children) were slaughtered, despite previous attempts by the Hamas Government to renew peace talks with Israel? Under International Law this invasion was totally illegal. Again, more recently, could it be that people are horrified at the murder by Israeli commandos, of nine people on an Aid ship? Those on board tried to defend themselves with knives or anything they could lay their hands on, but were no match for the 30 bullets fired into the nine dead and 30-odd injured for good measure. All the Israelis needed to do was guide the ship into port and inspect the contents. I wonder what happened to the medical supplies and food on board?
Recently, due to intense pressure from the United Nations and some other countries, Israel has been forced to lift some of the blockade into Gaza. There are 1.7 million Gazans living in a 40 kilometre long ghetto. 60% of Gazans are unemployed due to Israeli interference at their attempts to work. Coffee beans cannot be brought in as it would mean Gazans would use a machine! Israelis attack their trees bearing olives, another small means of livelihood. Israelis bulldoze down Gazan houses and insist on building their own in their place.
The above facts are just a few answers to your question Shirley Smith.
Mary Brooks, Tauranga.