IN a general response to the opinions expressed in your letters column concerning the situation in Gaza and Israel, I am quite puzzled where people get their information from, because, as I see it, the views expressed are simply not true or accurate, they just seem to be full of rhetoric and prejudice.

First of all, we can talk all we want about so-called illegal settlements, the role of Israel in Gaza and boycotts etc, when the reality is that none of the Arab/Palestinian conflict with Israel has ever been about territory, it’s always been about the desire of Israel’s neighbours to annihilate the Jewish state, so let’s be clear about that.

I find it sad that Israel is deliberately denigrated by people who, I believe, wilfully do not want to recognise the legality and right of Israel to exist, and to talk about this Jewish nation committing genocide, being an oppressor and a thug really is turning truth on its head.

I do sometimes wonder, if those that write denigrating Israel, would be writing letters in vehement protest if it was Israelis suffering at the hands of Hamas (which they have done for many years)?

To all those that write falsely accusing Israel of genocide, I respectfully say that you do not know what the word means.

I do not deny that there is suffering in Gaza, and a Palestinian mother’s tears are no different to an Israeli mother’s tears, but if you really want to know about genocide then go to Mosul in Iraq where mainly Christians (and Shia Muslims) are being butchered and ethnically cleansed by The Islamic State (formerly known as ISIS).

Today there is no Christian remaining in Mosul, and the world is standing idly by and doing nothing.

So to those that write so vehemently and irrationally against Israel claiming the moral high ground, why don’t you make a stand for those who are truly suffering genocide – to do any other would reek of double standards and hypocrisy.

Steve Jack, Damson Trees, Shrivenham