Letters | Gaza war: it’s up to us to fight polarisation with fact-based views

Readers discuss what individuals and the UN can do to foster peace in Gaza, the litter left in the wake of the district council election, and the rewards of reading

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Israeli soldiers walk past damaged buildings during a military operation in the north of the Gaza Strip amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas on December 19. This photo was taken during a controlled tour and subsequently edited under the supervision of the Israeli military. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:30am, 24 Dec 2023

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The conflict in Gaza has been quite distressing for everyone and made us all realise how polarised the world has become.

It is natural for people on both sides to feel passionate about their own views of the situation. However, people should use good judgment in the face of a huge amount of information and disinformation on social media. Education empowers us to differentiate between right and wrong, and to employ facts instead of emotions in our decision-making process.

It is a fact that Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and killed innocent people, knowing very well that Israel would retaliate.

I urge the United Nations to play a more active role by bringing Israel, the US and the more balanced and influential leadership in the Arab world – the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – to the negotiation table. The negotiation should begin with getting the narrative on the conflict corrected in the Arab world with an acceptance that Hamas’ horrific act triggered this unfortunate situation, resulting in so many unnecessary deaths on both sides.

Israel can then be requested to take a more moderate stance in its response in Gaza – by making the safety of civilians a priority, by allowing aid to come into the city, and by seriously considering the option of two states as suggested by the United Nations.