Justice is the way to peace for Israel and the Palestinians

Israel's recent actions in Gaza (Israeli vows to continue strikes as death toll passes 100, July 12) includes attempts to discredit victims' families and eyewitnesses, deliberately target civilians and pursue a policy of collective punishment. It epitomises the repression and systematic violations of human rights inherent in Israel's unjust occupation.

There would be no need for Palestinian suicide bombers if Israel were to respect international law and treat the Palestinians with justice. There would be no “security problem” for Israel if it did not oppress the Palestinian people.

Efforts to end the cycle of ongoing and systematic human rights violations perpertrated by Israel cannot be effective until the root causes of such violations are recognised and addressed.

If Arab and Islamic governments refused to support the US because of its massive and uncritical support of Israel and for the US not criticising Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians, American foreign policy would be forced to change.

Let us as freedom-loving people committed to global justice pray that the Palestinian people receive true justice, freedom and prosperity.

Samaoen Osman, South Africa

Imagine, for the sake of argument, that a militant group in northern France fired home-made rockets that landed in a field near Dover. If, despite demands to cease such potentially dangerous activity, it continued, would you expect the RAF to mount brutal attacks on French villages and towns including Calais, Lille and Bruges – villages that had nothing to do with the group responsible – blowing-up houses and killing dozens of innocent civilians including women and children?

Anthony Bellchambers, UK

Unplanned visitor’s Ramadan kindness

I was reading about an act of kindness in your paper (Emirati sponsor's act of kindness for maid with cancer, July 9) and wished to add a great act of kindness I received while staying in Abu Dhabi.

Unfortunately, the circumstances on my Etihad flight meant I had to remain overnight in Abu Dhabi instead of completing my journey home to Melbourne.

I booked a room at the Shangri-La hotel, where I arrived with no luggage (due to it being waylaid on the plane). Upon hearing of my concern, the hotel assisted greatly with basic toiletries and swim shorts, so I could enjoy the pool, and assisted with transport to a shopping mall so that I could buy some clothes, as well as a cash advance to pay for the taxi.

When I returned from my room, I found some fruit, nuts and chocolate on my table accompanied by a delightful note from the guest relations manager saying she was sorry to hear about the inconvenience I’d faced during my journey.

This has been one of the most lovely gestures and acts of kindness I have experienced in a long time – and since I’d been reading your paper, I thought I would submit this as a letter to the editor.

Being a long way from home, small kindnesses like this are very humbling, even more so after experiencing my first Ramadan in the Middle East.

Neil Pharaoh, Australia

BJP budget offers little to the poor

The first budget of the BJP government (Modi offers 'hope for the poor and downtrodden' in India budget, July 11) seems to offer nothing special to the poor in India.

The 2013 report on poverty levels by economist and MP Chakravarthi Rangarajan has fallen on deaf ears in addressing the burning issues of the downtrodden – and these are the people who were instrumental for the landslide victory of the present government.

On the contrary it looks as if the BJP is very much excited over the statue of Indian independence leader Vallabhbhai Patel costing R2 billion (Dh122bn) and the bullet train at a cost of R600bn.

Train fares, prices of essential food items and cooking gas have all gone up. Obviously this budget is going to be a disaster for the 34 million poor and will be a boon to the rich.

Jose Kattassery, Dubai

The newly-elected government of Narendra Modi has delivered a budget offering hope for the poor and downtrodden. Even though people had great expectations for this budget, I believe that the effect is this will be a good  budget for economic growth.

Extending the tax limit for senior citizens and addressing the agriculture sector are both important and laudable moves.

K Ragavan, US

Why do converts wear abayas?

Why, in your story, Filipina convert celebrates first Ramadan in UAE (July 5), do converts wear black abayas? It has nothing to do with religion and is purely cultural.

Aziza Al Busaidy, Dubai

Wearing an abaya is cost effective for converts because they can wear it over most of their existing wardrobe.

Mash Alhashemi, Abu Dhabi