Middle East situation

And when an Israeli soldier is kidnapped, the whole of Israel starts maiming and slaughtering Muslims of Palestine and Lebanon with no remorse and shame.

This is the state of the Muslims today--- a great concern and food for deep contemplation.

A letter from a concerned Muslim (19 July) on this topic is indeed sad reading. Such rights of Palestinians as are fitting to a citizen of an independent state and nation could have been achieved long ago provided Palestine and Israel were left alone to negotiate on the matter. It is impossible to achieve anything because of outside interference and involvement of neighbouring Muslim countries like Syria and Iran who are supporting various fighting groups within Palestine. Such groups freshly started the recent disturbances in the area and a peaceful settlement is certainly something, which they don't want, never mind what the Palestinians want. And the bulk of the collateral damage created by such conflict falls on the Palestinian (or Lebanese) civilians.

So for the greater good of the Palestinians the concerned Muslim neighbours must allow them the luxury and maturity of independence first before Israel, USA, EU or anyone else recognise this independence.

Shafi Ahmed London, UK