Editor – No one can read about the suffering in Gaza without feeling compassion.
The humanitarian crisis is devastating, and those who have given their time and money to support civilians through Medical Aid for Palestinians deserve recognition for their generosity.
However, I do find myself asking why our elected representatives appear so much more visible and vocal on international issues than on the pressing concerns facing the communities they were elected to serve.
It is striking to see SNP MPs and councillors attending, speaking at, and promoting events focused on crises thousands of miles away, while many local people feel their voices on issues such as declining public services, transport, roads, housing, healthcare and the cost of living are not being heard with the same urgency.
Equally, I wonder why our communities can so readily unite around causes abroad, yet often struggle to generate the same energy and determination to tackle the challenges affecting our own towns and villages.
Supporting humanitarian causes overseas and caring about our neighbours at home should never be mutually exclusive.
Our representatives are elected first and foremost to advocate for the people who put them into office.
Of course, they are entitled to express views on global affairs, but that should not come at the expense of addressing the day-to-day problems that residents face. Perhaps it is time to ask whether we have lost sight of the balance between compassion abroad and responsibility at home.
We should be capable of doing both, but too many local people feel that the priorities of those representing them no longer reflect the priorities of the communities themselves.
