Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’s antisemitism accusations against Corbyn are offensive and unfounded

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At a time when the country needs a strong political process, I was disappointed in Sacks's remarks (Reuters)

I was disappointed that Jonathan Sacks, whom I have always considered to be a man of sound reason, has lent his voice to a campaign that to the neutral observer can only be seen as a weakly argued case to sustain the worst government of my long life by traducing an already weak opposition. This is at a time when the country needs a strong political process.

I was becoming politically aware at about the time that the horrors of the holocaust were becoming known. Like many, I hoped that the revulsion we felt would forever draw a line under the discrimination against Jews that the teachings of the derivative religions had mainly caused.

However, the rest of society will not long tolerate any group’s demands that discrimination must always be in its favour. At this time there is much anger in our country, which inevitably seeks a target. It is surprising that the same people who are leading, or riding, on the current campaign also refer to a rise in anti-Jewish sentiment, but do not relate cause and effect. I fear that their short term gain is possibly resulting in a return to the bad old ways.

I use the proper term “anti-Jewish”, because it unreasonable to call someone who thinks the Palestinians have had a raw deal an antisemite. Arabs are Semites too.

Ian Dillamore
Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham

Well done Sasha Simic for having the courage to defend Jeremy Corbyn against the manufactured and tirelessly nasty campaign being orchestrated against him. You are brave.

This is now a rampaging witch hunt and all rationality has gone out the window. This is well demonstrated by the ex-chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks now smearing Corbyn with an accusation that he is as bad as Enoch Powell. This is frankly off the radar in terms of being grossly insulting and wildly unfair.

The sector accusing Corbyn of everything short of being the actual devil incarnate seem to have no innate sense of restraint, and no respect whatsoever for the feelings of their target, despite being ready themselves to be offended, scandalised, outraged and so on, on a permanent basis.

Penny Little
Oxfordshire

Jonathan Sacks was disingenuous in calling Jeremy Corbyn as an antisemite who courts terrorists, haters and racists. The former chief rabbi has resolutely and unerringly defended Israel’s stance as a lightning rod of tolerance, justice and equality amid the darkness of terror, delegitimisation and defamation.

Sacks might reread the story of Rachel Currie, the American activist who was crushed under the blades of the bulldozer while she was protecting Palestinian homes from being demolished, or ruminate over the ceaseless proliferation of illegal Jewish settlements, cultural appropriation and land expropriation, and the Judaisation of Jerusalem, economic siege and ethnic and religious persecution in the occupied Palestinian territories. Sacks should sow the seeds of peace, not those of schism and communal discord and hatred.

Dr Munjed Farid al Qutob
London NW2

A “care ISA” will do nothing for the people who would most need it

Successive governments have failed to address the social care funding crisis so reports that England’s social care system is lagging behind other countries make for depressing reading.

The “care ISA” would be a step in the right direction. It would encourage those who can to plan for later life but more needs to be done for the less well-off.

The number of people ill-prepared for later life is worryingly high – Anchor’s research shows just 14 per cent of people are currently saving for care needs, and 22 per cent mistakenly think that all care is state-funded.

An ISA would help the well-off to cover their care costs but not the great many people who are struggling to make ends meet and would struggle to put money aside. The National Pensioners Convention states that 32 per cent of older people are unable to afford a decent standard of living so a tax-free ISA would be of little use to them.

The ISA would need to be accompanied by a programme educating people about the importance of saving for their care, as well as a cap on the amount people spend on care.

Autumn’s long-awaited green paper is a chance for the government to turn this crisis around, giving today’s and tomorrow’s older people the respect and peace of mind they deserve.

Jane Ashcroft CBE – chief executive of Anchor

I cannot sympathise with Trump’s SEO woes

President Trump tweeted that “Google search results for Trump News shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake New Media,” implying that they are not publishing all results for people’s searches. This prompted me to do a similar search and see what my name produced.

I found that most references in the first 100 results were to champion football players (definitely not me), or obituaries (hopefully not me). There were a number of criminals, a lawyer, a police officer and even a teacher like me but not me.

If I include specific references to addresses, work locations or newspapers that I write letters to, some entries come up but most of my life and its “achievements” are not shown. Perhaps I should actually value my ordinary, semi-anonymous life for what it is rather than seek the fleeting fame of internet celebrity.

Dennis Fitzgerald
Melbourne, Australia

For once, I agree with Theresa May

Theresa May is correct on her assertion that it “wouldn’t be the end of the world” if we left the EU with no deal. The rest of the world will no doubt survive. The same however may not hold true for the UK, which is what should be uppermost in her mind.

G Forward
Stirling