Stabbing friends in the back

Regarding “Trump gives green light to Turkey to take over Syria” (October 8), as an Israeli/Brit, my previous respect for US President Donald Trump has lessened.

Writing as an Israeli, Trump’s decision to withdraw from Syria and allow the Turks to continue attempting to eliminate the Kurds makes me ask how Israel can trust a country that stabs its Kurdish ally in the back?

As a Brit, I’m even more concerned by something, which although trivial by comparison with the above, raises questions about trusting one’s oldest ally. Recently a young British man was killed when he was involved in an accident with the wife of an American Intelligence officer serving in Britain. Rather than face trial, she was given diplomatic immunity and flown to the US, where the president, on TV, supported this insult to Britain, refusing to return her, claiming that it is difficult to drive on the wrong side of the road (as do more than a third of the world’s drivers).

To misquote Oscar Wilde, to stab one friend in the back may be regarded as a mistake, to stab two friends in the back looks deliberately immoral.

BOB KNIGHT

Modi’in

So much for dependability. This unbelievable act of betrayal should make Israel think very carefully about its so-called great friendship with Trump. While I agree that every country must think first of their own people – which is something Israel unfortunately lacks the faith and courage to do – America, which looks upon itself as a great asset to humankind, has just proved to be the opposite with this action.

The Kurds were instrumental in the removal of ISIS at a massive loss of their people and are now abandoned like a commodity no longer needed, having served its purpose. Fortunately, Trump’s own supporters have come out against this action and will hopefully stop Turkey. Trump, taken aback by the force of opposition, meaning he consults no one before he does anything and just fires those who don’t agree with him, tweeted, “If Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the economy of Turkey I have done before.”

Wow, we need to look more closely at who we call friend. We must never outsource our defense and it is vital to cut this dangerous umbilical cord with America before this president, comes out with his “Deal of the Century” – a deal with terrorists over the Jewish land that was returned to us by God. EDITH OGNALL Netanya

If US President Donald Trump knew more about history, he would realize that economic sanctions seldom work. In support of a patriotic cause, populations are willing to endure the most drastic deprivations.

Sanctions against Iran don’t seem to be having the desired effect; neither will they work against Turkey.

Trump says he is not interested in the Middle East, but that does not mean that the Middle East is not interested in him. To eliminate the country the Iranians call the Great Satan, Iran is working to perfect weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them.

The Iranians are not joking and the Americans, together with others, should listen to them or bear the consequences. OSCAR DAVIES

Jerusalem

Before he became president, Trump said he would get the US out of the Middle East, and he always strives to keep his promises. I have always said that no matter who the president is, the USA always comes first.

For the US, oil was the primary concern, but since they are now independent from imported oil, it is getting less and less relevant to defend countries like Iran and people like the Kurds.

The Kurds have been unfortunate since the end of WW1. They should have had an independent country then, but the world powers Britain and France divided the Ottoman Empire between them and the USA was only interested in oil. This betrayal of the Kurds now gives Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and the other Jihadists in Gaza and even the PLO in Judea and Shomron (West Bank) reason to think that the timing may be right to attack Israel, together or separately, which would be a very big mistake – just look at our history since 1948. We have never wanted soldiers from foreign countries to fight for us, (except Jewish volunteers in Mahal) – only military hardware from bullets all the way up to fighter jets.

Since Trump has made his decision to leave the Middle East, including allies who fought for and with the USA, all those who thought the US had their back (and it goes back to president Barack Obama’s days) have now to rethink their positions militarily, political, and economically. MURRAY JOSEPH

Kiryat Motzkin

Regarding “Caving to BDS” (October 6), this is what I tweeted to Demi Lovato, who under BDS pressure, posted an apology for having visited Israel:

“Hey Demi... actually, you do need to read more about the history of this land because it is called Israel for a reason. All available archaeological, cultural, linguistic and historical evidence going back 3,000 years confirms a Jewish presence predating the Muslim invasions from the 7th century onward. The magical feeling you felt is because you were re-connecting to your Christian heritage!” KIM EZRA SHIENBAUM, PH.D

Emeritus Professor of Political Science, Rutgers Camden