WE were told that there was to be change over the treatment of Israel, but it’s the same tired old mixture as before.

By vetoing the UN Security Council resolution condemning the continued construction of Israeli settlements in the illegally-occupied West Bank, the US has missed a golden opportunity to tell Israel that it does not have immunity from International Law.

Had it supported the otherwise unanimous resolution, the US would also have shown the rest of the world that its professed desire for a just and peaceful solution to the Israel/Palestine problem was genuine. Instead, it has given the green light to Israel to continue with its programme of illegal settlements and misappropriation of Palestinian land.

Is it surprising that there is resistance to the oppressive and expansive Israeli regime from Hamas and Hezbollah? Is it surprising that there may be nuclear sabre-rattling from Iran?

When the history of these times is written, the chapter on American foreign policy could be summed up in two words: sanctimonious hypocrisy.

Gordon Clack, Witney Road, Ducklington