WHILE the UN Human Rights Council will , on September 29, be discussing the Richard Goldstone report – which is so condemnatory of every aspect of the operation against Gaza – we learn that the Labour Friends of Israel (many of whom are cabinet ministers) are having Ehud Barak as their guest to dinner in Brighton on that same day.
It is so shameful – Barak and his foreign minister were the prime architects of the operation which the Goldstone report finds guilty of the violation of all human rights.
It is ironic that this week also holds an art exhibition in our own Anglican Cathedral – this shows paintings drawn by the children of Gaza which reveal their trauma and their insight into the shocking truth of the Goldstone Report
The paintings graphically confirm what the UN Mission Report describes – the lethal targeting of unarmed civilians, the use of drones and phosphorus bombs on civilian targets, the use of bulldozers to destroy civilian property, the wanton destruction of trees, the firing on hospitals, ambulances, mosques, schools and children.
All of the people of Gaza were traumatised to a greater or lesser degree, being unable to escape or find shelter from the bombardment which came from land, sea and air.
The greater scandal is that they are trapped even now, and continue to be traumatised while the political world looks on.
They are refused material to rebuild their homes and factories, and yet our political representatives call themselves “Friends of Israel” and entertain the architect of Gaza's misery to dinner in Brighton.
Ted Clement-Evans, L17
A slap in the face
WHAT a hollow victory for the Government and a slap in the face for justice and people that have worked for half a century.
The High Court’s finding for the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, short-sightedly enacted by a Labour government, was apparently only because the government is bringing forward a review of the default retirement age to next year.
What duplicity, it infers that if the Government had not taken that decision because of the impending pensions crisis, then the High Court would have ruled against them. Therein lies the crux of the matter, the Act discriminates unfairly or it doesn’t.
As one of nearly 300 people with claims pending after being forced to retire, I am dismayed at the decision.
No “sickie” for over 25 years and impeccable appraisals. I was physically and mentally up to the demands of my job and had the respect of my peers. However, this disgraceful Act allowed my employer to force me to retire without giving me a reason.
This from a Government claiming to be the champion of working people that inherently admitted the Act was wrong by scrapping mandatory retirement ages for many civil servants last year.
Tony Coates, via email
How should I vote?
IT IS more than two decades since I last voted Labour. People tell me if I don’t, unpleasant things could happen.
Cuts and private sector involvement in the NHS, reductions in public spending on schools, social and council services. One dreads to think what would happen to say, libraries on the Wirral, for instance. The Royal Mail will be privatised.
Not only that, but threats to the benefits to disabled and unemployed people, with so-called "help" for claimants which is little different to bullying, administered by a reduced civil service and privatised companies seeking quick profit.
The last Conservative government got us involved in a pointless war in the Falklands, and we certainly do not need any more such wars.
I am told all this will come to pass if I refuse to vote Labour. Am I right to so refuse?
R Mason, Prescot
GM fears
I HAVE recently been very disturbed to discover that some restaurants and fast food outlets in the area are selling food with GM ingredients to customers, without the appropriate labelling.
I wish to avoid consuming this ingredient and I have learned that, although it is the law that such ingredients have to be labelled, some restaurants are breaking the law and I have been consuming GM unknowingly.
From April 18, 2004, all food containing ingredients produced from genetically modified organisms have to be labelled on the final product on sale under EU Regulation 1829/2003. This covers all food sold by caterers, restaurants and fast food outlets in the UK, including, for example, food fried in GM oil. The label should be on the tables, the menu, or by the service counter where it is clearly visible.
It has become clear that this law is being ignored by some caterers.
Like many others, I have assumed that if a product contains GM it will be labelled. I cannot believe that it is now up to us personally to press these establishments to tell the truth about their GM content.
How have the Government and its agencies allowed this to happen, when there was clear opposition to GM when it first appeared in the UK?
GM products have been shown to cause damage to both animals and humans in other countries where they have been widely used. It is the responsibility of local environmental health or trading standards to enforce this law. The restaurants and takeaways that I have approached appeared unaware that this was an issue, and were unclear on the law.
I wonder if other people in the area are aware of this. I am contacting restaurants and takeaways that I use regularly in order to find out whether they are using GM ingredients and whether the food is labelled. I will be telling them that, although I have regularly enjoyed eating at their establishment, if they are using GM ingredients, I shall be taking my custom elsewhere. Maybe concerned readers would be advised to question local restaurants and takeaways on this matter?
We should also challenge the local authorities about their actions to enforce this law.
Catherine Greenall, Lancs
