AS intractable problems go, the Palestine/Israel problem must rank as one of the world’s most intractable. However, I must say that George Kerevan reducing the two-state solution as mere prattle from Scotland’s elected First Minister, saying that a one-nation solution looks impossible, and that sanctions upon Israel are the answer, appears somewhat superficial and merely noisy (There is more in Israel-Palestine for Scots to discuss than meets the eye, May 24).

No solution overnight is almost a certainty, given the NI/Ireland stramash ongoing and simmering for more than 300 years, and India/Pakistan separated more recently some 70 years ago but simmering with nuclear capability.

READ MORE: George Kerevan: Scotland must move beyond street protests in support of Palestine

Back in 1946, when UK army conscripts were shipped out to Palestine, the view expressed by some of those sent there was that the Arabs would/could steal anything from you, but the Jews would shoot/kill you.

There would appear to have been a great deal of “progress” made since, in that killing and stealing are perhaps no longer regarded as singular racial/creed traits, but rightly or wrongly, relatively common geographical traits right across the disputed area. A sort of coming together, but not as hoped for.

Perhaps a possible partial solution might lie with considering the different post war actions of World Wars One and Two, ie reparations to weaken and a Marshall Plan to strengthen, Reparations failed and World War One part two ensued. Such a Marshall Plan investment in better equalising the wealth, education and standing across the divide might at least get the parties 50% there.

The cost over the next decade would perhaps be of the order of £200bn-plus, as well as a massive loss in arms trade profits, which is really in quite a different ballpark from not buying fruit from Israel, but every little helps I suppose.

After that, albeit with even greater support, those who live there might over time get to 85% willing to find a way, over the next century, to live peacefully together as the people of the area, creeds notwithstanding.

And that is just one little, albeit crucial part, of a currently inflamed Middle East and North Africa.

So, what would Scotland’s position be, as an independent EU nation state? Would it be to keep the arms sales flowing to the Middle East, and reduce the aid budget, or would it be more constructive?

Stephen Tingle
Greater Glasgow

TO George Kerevan’s masterly coverage of the Palestinian problem, may I add a snippet of history? My father skippered an ammunition ship on the wartime Malta convoys before becoming Port Commissionaire of Valletta. Coming home early in 1946 he took over a American Liberty ship, the SS President Warfield, which had carried US troops across the Atlantic during the war and was then lying in Loch Fyne.

Months later it was sold to the American Zionist Movement and duly became responsible for carrying Zionists for the invasion of Palestine.

Atomic weapons were greeted as the quick and most effective means of ending World War Two. I remember my father shaking his head and saying: “Mix enhanced killing power with racial hatred and religious dogma and you have the makings of another world war.” Having experienced the last one he was understandably gloomy.

It’s no longer a secret that Israel possesses nuclear weapons. Enough of imperialist idiots in Westminster trotting out the royals. Scotland must not tempt fate, and the danger of Faslane should be paramount in every sane mind calling for Scottish independence now.

Iain R Thomson
Strathglass

COMPARE and contrast these two news stories this past week.

Questionable BBC interviewing tactics regarding the late Princess of Wales are revealed after nearly three decades, and there is a huge outcry. The government immediately takes to the airwaves to question BBC governance and accountability, and seeks reform.

Meanwhile, earlier in the week, the Archbishop of Canterbury apologised for the latest in a series of wilful failures over many decades in protecting children from abuse by its paedophile clergy. However, the government’s silence on the established Church’s governance and accountability is deafening. This may not come as much of a surprise, given Boris Johnson’s public remarks about the inquiries into historical child sex abuse being taxpayer money “spaffed up the wall”.

I think these two issues illustrate perfectly the moral bankruptcy of this Conservative Westminster government.

Alistair McBay
Methven, Perth

PLEASE cease and desist from referring to Prince William of Wales as “the Earl of Strathearn”. It only encourages them. The cavalier way that the quasi-English royal family appropriates place-names in order to fabricate titles for its members adds insult to injury.

Lawrence Buckley
Crieff (not a million miles from Strathearn)