Rob Halfon - I made no secret of runway opposition
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16 June 10, 2010 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR email: star@herts essexnews .co.uk Aid ships attacked in interna tional wate rs POST: Star Letters, 6 West Gate, Harlow, Essex CM20 1JW EMAIL: [email protected] SIR, Robert Halfon claims the media presented a “one-sided view' of the disastrous Israeli storming of the Gaza relief ships (Star, June 3). On the contrary, the media, cowed by what they know will be instant blanket condemnation from all Israeli organisations, presented a mealy-mouthed on-the-fence view of what happened. Halfon claims that all would have been well if the flotilla had only obeyed orders to stop and unload its cargo. The ships when invaded were sailing in international waters, not in Israeli territory. Those on board were an international group of Palestinian sympathisers and, in spite of Israeli bluster, no weapons were found on board. The passengers offered no resistance on five of the ships. On the sixth a small group waited with improvised weapons – sticks and poles. The Israeli commandos had machine guns as well as tasers and rubber bullets which, according to a British passenger, they fired at anyone a bit slow to obey orders. This has been a PR disaster for Israel, as well as a tragedy for the families of the dead. Instead of bowing to pressure and ending the blockade thay say they are intent on boarding future ships in the same way. Here are some questions for Mr Halfon. By what right does Israel blockade Gaza? Why has Israel closed nearly all the crossing points into Gaza, effectively depriving the population of food and other necessities, as well as stopping them working outside Gaza? Why have they confiscated cement and wheelchairs, among other things, from the flotilla when they know that these things are needed for rebuilding homes destroyed by Israel’s frenzied attack on Gaza last year and to enable those disabled in the attack to become mobile? And why does Israel claim that everyone who speaks out against their persecution of the Palestinians is anti-semitic? This is a question of human rights. Israel is incredibly rich compared to other states in the region, being dependent on US support. It also possesses many nuclear weapons. Why is it afraid of people who have nothing? Barbara Burge Seeleys, Old Harlow Illegal blockade is a barrier to peace SIR, It comes as no surprise that Robert Halfon, a member of Conservative Friends of Israel and a former supporter of Ariel Sharon, should come out in support of Israel’s commando attack on an aid ship heading for Gaza attempting to break the illegal blockade. Mr Halfon says that he deplores the loss of life and injuries to both sides. Y et it escapes his notice that most of the injuries and all of the deaths were peace activists aboard the aid ship. Early in 2009 Israel’s military launched an all out war against the people of Gaza. Week s of bombing resulted in the deaths of more than 1,300 people, 20,000 buildings destroyed and left 1.5 million inhabitants of Gaza economically stranded. Eleven people in Israel died as a result of rocket attacks fired from Gaza. Unless the economic blockade is lifted to enable much-needed supplies and construction materials to help the Palestinian people rebuild their shattered lives it is unlikely that peace and security for either the Israelis or the Palestinians can ever be achieved. Mary Solomon Churchfield, Harlow I made no secret of runway opposition SIR, I thank James Gamble for his concern about Stansted Airport ( Letters, June 3). The important thing to note is that a second runway would not just have meant disruption to our villages but to Harlow as well. Howev er, I understand Mr Gamble’ s concern about jobs. The reality is that most airlines did not want a second runway because it was economically unsustainable. The current runway is only being used at 50 per cent capacity. It should be noted that just 5.5 per cent of jobs at Stansted Airport have gone to Harlow residents because the airport’s recruitment focus has switched to north and east London, offering free/subsidised coach travel for new employees. Many airport employers have also focused on overseas recruitment, particularly attracting employees from central and eastern Europe. As most people in Harlow and the villages well know, my opposition to a second runway at Stansted is shared by thousands across the constituency. It is something I campaigned for in three general elections. Ultimately, issues like this must be settled democratically at the ballot box. For many years the Conservatives have promised to scrap the second runway at Stansted. I stood openly on that pledge and am glad that the Government will keep to it. Robert Halfon MP Latton Bush Centre, Southern Way, Harlow Leisurezone sign a capital offence SIR, With regards to last week’s Star report about the Leisurezone (“Delay hit centre will open this month,” June 3), I read with interest that it is decribed as a jewel in the crown, state of the art and the envy of neighbouring towns. Surely if this is the case, shouldn’t the name of our great town that adorns the side of this new sports complex have been spelt with a capital ‘H’ and not a lower case ‘h’? Is it just me that thinks that if we are going to promote our town, then let’s at least get the grammar right and spell it with a capital letter. Steve Pitt address supplied - Editor SIR,As a former member of the European NewTo wn Platform I am aware of how successful our relation has been in securing European money for local projects in the past. The process was that Harlow would make joint bids with other towns in Europe and that’s why, via our old regener ation unit, we joined the ENTP . But the EU changed the application process over three years ago and I now question why the council is still a paying partner, let alone the president . Our Conservative-run council, under the leadership of Andrew Johnson, appears to have decided that Harlow officers time and resources can be used to support the role of the president of the ENTP. It appears the only source of information about this decision is from a Tory twit ter website. Currentl y, Harlow Council has lost it way on the development of the town centre. It has been a major player in the development of the much-delay ed Leisurezone and has overseen the destruction of most of the local community group by withdra wing funding and support. We also know the Government is talking about a massive reduction in spending on the public sector. So with all this happening, why is the leader of Harlow Council the president of a European organisation that we, the local taxpayer, have to pay for with no visible benefits to Harlo w? Why is he spending money he claims the council hasn’t got on trips to Greece with a council officer? When I was part of the ENTP the president was in Brussels every month attending some meeting or formal do. So who pays for our leader’s travel and hotel bills? And while he’s away who is in charge? This is simply crazy.We have a Tory council that claims it has no money and is closing down services but its leadership can afford overse as trips. The solution is simple. Either Mr Johnson gives up his role as president and work for Harlow or he should be sacked as the leader of Harlow Council to enable him to spend more time in Brussels. Councillor Tony Durcan Rundells, Harlow Council shouldn’t spend our money on trips to Europe EDITORIAL NEWSROOM (01279) 451545 Ifyouh a v e a q uery r egar di n g thedel ive r y of t he S t aror w ou l d l ik e t o j oi n o urte amasa t ee n a ge orad u ltnew sp aper d eliver e r, c ont act o u r d is t r ib utio n d epar t me nt o n ( 01 58 2) 3 9 036 5 Editor KEN MORL EY Acting News Editor CHRI S MOSS Reporter DANPHILLIPS Sports Editor AL AN SCOT T Sports Reporter DAVI D RIMME R We could give you the facts and gures explaining why local media is effective. But really it’s just common sense. But if you’re a stat. lover, you’ll want to know that 40 million people in Britain read a local paper, * and over 70% of people act upon the advertising they see. ** More facts at www.thewantedads.co.uk * Source: GB TGI 2009 Q3 (April 2008 – March 2009) ** Source: The Wanted Ads STAGE 1. GFK NOP Base: all adults
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Transcript of Rob Halfon - I made no secret of runway opposition
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16 June 10, 2010 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR email: [email protected]
Aid ships attacked in
international waters
POST: Star Letters, 6 West Gate, Harlow, Essex CM20 1JW EMAIL: [email protected]
SIR, Robert Halfon claims the media presented a “one-sided view' of thedisastrous Israeli storming of the Gazarelief ships (Star, June 3).
On the contrary, the media, cowed by whatthey know will be instant blanketcondemnation from all Israeli organisations,
presented a mealy-mouthed on-the-fenceview of what happened.
Halfon claims that all would have been wellif the flotilla had only obeyed orders to stopand unload its cargo. The ships when
invaded were sailing in international waters,not in Israeli territory. Those on board werean international group of Palestiniansympathisers and, in spite of Israeli bluster,no weapons were found on board.
The passengers offered no resistance onfive of the ships. On the sixth a small groupwaited with improvised weapons – sticksand poles. The Israeli commandos had machine guns as well as tasers and rubber
bullets which, according to a British passenger, they fired at anyone a bit slow to
obey orders.
This has been a PR disaster for Israel, aswell as a tragedy for the families of thedead. Instead of bowing to pressure and ending the blockade thay say they are intenton boarding future ships in the same way.
Here are some questions for Mr Halfon. Bywhat right does Israel blockade Gaza? Whyhas Israel closed nearly all the crossing
points into Gaza, effectively depriving the population of food and other necessities, aswell as stopping them working outsideGaza? Why have they confiscated cementand wheelchairs, among other things, from
the flotilla when they know that these thingsare needed for rebuilding homes destroyed
by Israel’s frenzied attack on Gaza last year and to enable those disabled in the attack to
become mobile?
And why does Israel claim that everyonewho speaks out against their persecution of the Palestinians is anti-semitic? This is aquestion of human rights.
Israel is incredibly rich compared to other states in the region, being dependent on USsupport. It also possesses many nuclear weapons. Why is it afraid of people whohave nothing?
Barbara Burge
Seeleys, Old Harlow
Illegal blockade isa barrier to peaceSIR, It comes as no surprise that RobertHalfon, a member of Conservative Friendsof Israel and a former supporter of ArielSharon, should come out in support of Israel’s commando attack on an aid shipheading for Gaza attempting to break theillegal blockade.
Mr Halfon says that he deplores the loss of life and injuries to both sides. Yet it escapeshis notice that most of the injuries and all of
the deaths were peace activists aboard theaid ship.
Early in 2009 Israel’s military launched anall out war against the people of Gaza.Weeks of bombing resulted in the deaths of more than 1,300 people, 20,000 buildingsdestroyed and left 1.5 million inhabitants of Gaza economically stranded.
Eleven people in Israel died as a result of rocket attacks fired from Gaza.
Unless the economic blockade is lifted toenable much-needed supplies and construction materials to help the Palestinian
people rebuild their shattered lives it isunlikely that peace and security for either the Israelis or the Palestinians can ever beachieved.
Mary SolomonChurchfield, Harlow
I made no secret ofrunway oppositionSIR, I thank James Gamble for his concernabout Stansted Airport ( Letters, June 3). Theimportant thing to note is that a second runway would not just have meantdisruption to our villages but to Harlow aswell.
However, I understand Mr Gamble’s concernabout jobs. The reality is that most airlines
did not want a second runway because it waseconomically unsustainable. The currentrunway is only being used at 50 per centcapacity.
It should be noted that just 5.5 per cent of jobs at Stansted Airport have gone toHarlow residents because the airport’srecruitment focus has switched to north and east London, offering free/subsidised coachtravel for new employees.
Many airport employers have also focused
on overseas recruitment, particularlyattracting employees from central and eastern Europe.
As most people in Harlow and the villageswell know, my opposition to a second runway at Stansted is shared by thousandsacross the constituency. It is something Icampaigned for in three general elections.
Ultimately, issues like this must be settled democratically at the ballot box. For many
years the Conservatives have promised toscrap the second runway at Stansted. I stood openly on that pledge and am glad that theGovernment will keep to it.
Robert Halfon MPLatton Bush Centre, Southern Way, Harlow
Leisurezone signa capital offenceSIR, With regards to last week’s Star reportabout the Leisurezone (“Delay hit centrewill open this month,” June 3), I read withinterest that it is decribed as a jewel in thecrown, state of the art and the envy of
neighbouring towns.Surely if this is the case, shouldn’t the nameof our great town that adorns the side of thisnew sports complex have been spelt with acapital ‘H’ and not a lower case ‘h’?
Is it just me that thinks that if we are goingto promote our town, then let’s at least getthe grammar right and spell it with a capitalletter.
Steve Pittaddress supplied - Editor
SIR,As a former member of theEuropean New Town Platform I amaware of how successful our relation
has been in securing European moneyfor local projects in the past.
The process was that Harlow wouldmake joint bids with other towns inEurope and that’s why, via our oldregeneration unit, we joined the ENTP.
But the EU changed the applicationprocess over three years ago and I nowquestion why the council is still apaying partner, let alone the president.
Our Conservative-run council, underthe leadership of Andrew Johnson,appears to have decided that Harlowofficers time and resources can be usedto support the role of the president of the ENTP. It appears the only source of information about this decision is from
a Tory twitter website.Currently, Harlow Council has lost itway on the development of the towncentre. It has been a major player inthe development of the much-delayedLeisurezone and has overseen thedestruction of most of the localcommunity group by withdrawingfunding and support.
We also know the Government istalking about a massive reduction inspending on the public sector.
So with all this happening, why is theleader of Harlow Council the presidentof a European organisation that we, thelocal taxpayer, have to pay for with novisible benefits to Harlow? Why is hespending money he claims the councilhasn’t got on trips to Greece with acouncil officer?
When I was part of the ENTP thepresident was in Brussels every monthattending some meeting or formal do.So who pays for our leader’s travel andhotel bills? And while he’s away who isin charge?
This is simply crazy.We have a Torycouncil that claims it has no money andis closing down services but itsleadership can afford overseas trips.
The solution is simple. Either MrJohnson gives up his role as presidentand work for Harlow or he should be
sacked as the leader of Harlow Councilto enable him to spend more time inBrussels.
Councillor Tony DurcanRundells, Harlow
Council shouldn’tspend our moneyon trips to Europe
EDITORIAL
NEWSROOM(01279) 451545
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EditorKEN MORLEYActing News EditorCHRIS MOSSReporter
DAN PHILLIPSSports EditorAL
AN SCOT
TSports ReporterDAVID RIMMER
We could give you the facts and gures explainingwhy local media is effective. But really it’s just
common sense.
But if you’re a stat. lover, you’ll want to knowthat 40 million people in Britain read a local paper, *
and over 70% of people act upon the advertisingthey see.**
More facts at www.thewantedads.co.uk
*Source: GB TGI 2009 Q3 (April 2008 – March 2009)**Source: The Wanted Ads STAGE 1. GFK NOP Base: all adults
