With regards to the debate by Messrs Halford and Siret (Oxford Mail letters) concerning the illegal actions and act of piracy by Israel in boarding the Gaza relief ship Mavi Marmara.

In my opinion, Mr Halford is trying to defend the indefensible.

It is not just the evidence of the crew which confirms that the Israeli military killed with impunity.

The United Nations Human Rights Council’s report concluded that “the Israeli military demonstrated levels of totally unnecessary and incredible violence. It betrayed an unacceptable level of brutality.”

Such conduct, the report added, “cannot be justified or condoned on security or any others grounds.”

The fact that Israel refused to cooperate with the independent investigation, and that none of the Israeli military have been punished, proves the impunity.

It is nothing new of course, as far as Israel is concerned. The criminal action against the Lebanese in 2006 began with the excuse of two Israeli soldiers being kidnapped – although it was later admitted by Israeli President Olmert, that the invasion had been planned at least six months in advance.

Then again in 2008 when Israel launched another genocidal attack on the defenceless civilians in Gaza, using illegal weapons such as white phosphorus, all on the basis of false claims concerning rockets fired by Hamas. The Israeli government later admitted that there were no Hamas rockets during the ceasefire from June to November 2008, at which time the Israeli offensive began.

Indeed the decision by Israel to cause the destruction in Gaza was made at least six months previously and coincided with talks to extend the ceasefire.

No Israeli soldier has been convicted of any war crime in regards to any of these instances, so you have to assume that they are acting with impunity – and their actions are condoned by the Israeli government.

R Lee, Burford Road, Witney