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The Herald Scotland

Zealots who want CCA to cut Israeli links are part of the problem

The words of Oz also speak directly to those fanatics who want the CCA and other arts and academic institutions to end any relations they may have with Israeli citizens and institutions ("Bitter war of words escalates between pro-Palestine group and shut arts centre", The Herald, July 4). By putting CCA staff and visitors at risk by their actions and forcing the CCA to close, these demonstrators have gone beyond the limits of free speech, instead attempting to deny others the right to express their views and go about their daily lives. If we are to achieve peace in the Middle East – and elsewhere – we must allow writers, artists, musicians and academics to work with each other, to share perspectives, to disagree where appropriate and, in the words of Amos Oz, tolerate the voices of opponents. We have a choice: we can give in to the fanatics of both sides or we can keep open the gateway that leads to increased possibility of mutual understanding, in the process beginning to neuter the power of the fanatics. Both Hamas and the current right-wing Israeli government share the blame for the current crisis and both are putting their citizens and opponents at risk. In order for peace to be achieved, both governments need to be replaced (which is probably easier in Israel where, unlike Gaza, there are regular elections). The actions of the fanatics, who want to restrict the freedom of CCA and its staff and visitors, are part of the problem, not the solution, as are any attempts at cultural and academic boycotts of Israel. Kevin Crowe, Wick. Read more letters Glasgow's disgrace Glasgow continues to look like a city that has completely lost its way. Graffiti is now a defining and depressing feature of the urban landscape, appearing not only on derelict buildings but across key public spaces, street furniture and shop shutters in central areas. Litter is ever-present. Vandalism and boarded-up properties go largely unaddressed. The overall impression is one of neglect, and of a city where civic pride has quietly evaporated. High Street offers a particularly dispiriting example. This historic route, leading to the Cathedral, Provand's Lordship and other sites of national significance, should be a jewel in Glasgow's crown. Instead, visitors are greeted by grime, defacement, appalling pavements and visual disorder. For a city that promotes itself as a cultural and tourist destination, with plans for a visitor tax, it is simply embarrassing. All of this is unfolding while enormous sums are poured into the Avenues Project –an initiative that, after years of disruption, has delivered little more than narrowed roads, utterly confused layouts and an urban realm that often feels colder, not more welcoming. Much of the work appears to have prioritised the interests of a narrow but vocal cycling lobby over the broader needs of residents, businesses and commuters. The language of 'active travel' and 'placemaking' may play well in policy documents, distant from the ordinary public, but the experience on the ground tells a different story. The forthcoming £35 million George Square revamp only adds to public concern. It is difficult to see how yet another high-cost redesign, one of several attempted in recent years, can be justified when the surrounding city is visibly deteriorating. Cosmetic enhancement is no substitute for basic maintenance, safety and order. Pictures of the Square from its heyday show how far removed city planners are from the role of this public space with ill-advised rain gardens and a children's play area. Another Sauchiehall Street disaster likely awaits us. There is shame here: shame on those who deface and damage their own city without any consequence, but also shame on those in office who have allowed standards to slide so far. Glasgow City Council has drifted into policy driven more by ideology than practicality. The Scottish Government, too, has encouraged this, funding flagship schemes while the fundamentals are so neglected. Glasgow is being reshaped while its fabric frays and unravels. We deserve better – and Glasgow deserves leaders prepared to focus not on slogans, but on the serious, unglamorous business of restoring a city back to good health. David Roxburgh, Glasgow. An artist's impression of part of the Avenues Project (Image: Glasgow City Council) Energy policy is lunacy Philip Norris (Letters, July 4) wonders how many Herald readers know about the giant wind turbines installed and planned across Scotland. One could also ask how many know about the enormous battery storage, substation sites and 200-plus feet high pylons marching across Scotland that will provide the vast over-supply required for when the wind doesn't blow. Scotland's peak electricity requirement is around 6GW per day and around 48GW of onshore and offshore wind is being planned, the equivalent of buying eight cars just to be sure one of them will start in the morning. I suspect a much higher proportion of Herald readers will know more about this lunacy than the millions of voters who don't read a newspaper these days and rarely see ant coverage on mainstream TV news programmes. Allan Sutherland, Stonehaven. Just desserts? I was intrigued to learn that a new restaurant called TRUST has opened in the Finnieston area of the city where there will be no menu and customers must rely on the chef to provide a quality meal. It is perhaps forgotten that this is not a novel idea and was tried previously in the west end of the city with an Indian restaurant called Karma. There was no menu. Customers just got what they deserved. Cameron Munro, Glasgow.