A Path to Peace

A path to peace

Ray Bassett, former peace negotiator, points a way to a possible lasting settlement in the Middle East (Comment, 8/1). He describes the secret meetings of British security services with senior figures in the IRA in 1993, which kick-started a process that involved leaders of all key parties bringing doubters in their own ‘‘sides’’ to accept that compromises are necessary. There was also a requirement for an independent chair ‘‘who never intervened in the discussions’’.

In referring to the successful peace processes in Northern Ireland and South Africa, Bassett gives hope that a resolution can be found in the Middle East, but it will require each major player – and there are several – to come to the table in good faith, to make concessions, and to sincerely want to end the awful strife that has plagued that region for so many decades and is at a very dangerous stage at present. Perhaps Australia could play the role of the independent chair.

Andrew Trembath, Blackburn

No terrorism

When Ray Bassett asks whether the experiences gained in the Northern Ireland peace process can be used to resolve the Israel-Gaza conflict, he makes the critical point that “all conflicts are different” (‘‘Irish lesson gives hope to Gaza’’, 8/1). Israel showed a preparedness in the past to engage in peace negotiations with former terrorist and head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation Yasser Arafat. Although ultimately failing, critical components of that peace process included the PLO’s renouncing of terrorism and acceptance of Israel’s right to exist in peace.

But it is delusional to believe that Israel is in a position to negotiate with jihadist terrorists whose raison d’etre is to see the elimination of the Jewish state.

Geoff Feren, St Kilda East

Leaving hate behind

Ray Bassett’s concluding words are simple but utterly true.

As someone whose Irish Catholic grandparents emigrated from that troubled land, the continuing conflict in the Middle East has resonance.

My grandparents were economic migrants but also keen, like so many Irish, to leave the hate and violence behind.

Both sides were taught to hate each other and it has to be said, the ‘‘peace’’ is a fragile one.

Any suggestions on my part would be simplistic, but I am alive, probably thanks to people determined to leave hate behind.

Carmel Boyle, Alfredton

Flawed logic

Columnist Parnell Palme McGuinness (7/1/24) takes aim at ‘‘anti-Trumpers’’ as they ‘‘overlook the fully fledged theocratic totalitarians who surround the only liberal democracy in the Middle East .. . [Israel.]’’ She has overlooked Benjamin Netanyahu’s aim to limit Israel’s constitutional High Court in ruling on certain legislation – legislation pertinent to his political future. Liberal democracy requires a separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent totalitarian rule. Netanyahu, Trump, Putin, Hamas leaders and many others don’t respect liberal democracy. The columnist’s argument rests on the flawed logic that some anti-liberal-democratic rulers are better than others.

Mike Travers, Denmark, WA