Dear Nick Robinson, 

    Re interview with David Mencer at 08:15, 2025-7-25

    I think there was a crucial point in David Mencer's argument that you did not address. It is a point important in understanding the Israeli attitude and in interpreting Israeli statements. It seems that the Netanyahu line is that Hamas is illegal and can be ignored because it is a terrorist organisation. They seem to regard the whole population as in support of the Hamas fighters, and therefore legitimate military targets. Hamas is, of course, also the democratically elected government of Gaza, which seems to be a point that Netanyahu does not accept.

    I think it could be argued that Israel is also a terrorist organization. They have murdered many more non-combatants than Hamas has, and with the deliberate intention of intimidating the crowd; and that comes very close to what I understand by the term 'terrorist'. (Pouring paint into an aero-engine does not terrify anyone!)  Of course, Hamas zealots started this round of violence. But there seems to have been plenty of unprovoked aggression by Israeli settlers on the Left Bank. I do not think it profitable to use the term 'terrorist' regarding either party. 

    I think we would like to know, from the relatively impartial UN operatives, what the hold-up is really due to. Perhaps UN aid workers refuse to carry food when they get shot at by Israeli soldiers; which seems understandable. Perhaps the UN authorities take the view that Hamas should be the distributors as they are the legal authority, and Israel therefore refuses to allow the UN access to the food. Also understandable, given the two mindsets.

    You started off quite well: "Let us agree the undeniable fact of starvation."  But then your desire to embarrass Mencer blew up in your face. Your tiff prevented us learning what is the the cause of the blockage. 

    I think it is time to debate publically and explain more fully why Britain has not recognised the state of Palestine – an area under British 'protection' until it became ungovernable in 1948. I do not think that Israel has shown itself to be a sufficiently grown-up authority to have jurisdiction over so many other human beings; beings which the rest of the world regard as human, but which the Israeli State does not accept as equal. 

Yours sincerely, Cawstein, 
Middleton Cheney,  Banbury,
OX17 2NB