As a person of conscience, I must protest U.S. policies in the Middle East. The situation between Israel and the Palestinians begged for balanced diplomatic efforts on the part of the United States; these have simply been abandoned, allowing the most violent factions on all sides to take advantage of the diplomatic vacuum, and now we have war raging in much of the Middle East.

As the violence increases, so do the deaths of innocent civilians, and intensifying misery resulting from the shortage of food and medical supplies. Our lack of concern for the lives of fellow human beings, families just like ourselves, can only have a negative effect on America’s standing and safety in the world, as resentment toward the United States drives more and more people into the arms of militants.

Let us all imagine ourselves there, in Israel or Lebanon, huddling with our terrified children in a cellar and then speak out, demanding that our government wage a campaign of diplomacy and realistic economic incentives, for we have the unquestioned power to do so.

If for no other reason, we would all be so much safer.

Joanne Boynton

Belfast