Price hike of essential commodities

Every year with the advent of the month of Ramadan, prices of different kitchen items increase without reason. This year we are seeing a similar trend. There is no shortage of supply yet prices of the kitchen items are on the rise. Green chilli is selling for Tk 150 per kg. Low and middle income consumers suffer a lot because of the rising prices of such essentials.
 We hope authorities will take measures to bring prices under control and keep them within the reach of consumers.

Zabed Wali
Chittagong

The US must stop enabling Israel

No one can deny the close, abiding and unparalleled friendship between the US and Israel. This tight bond has served both countries well, especially Israel which has benefitted politically, economically, and militarily from the US' unwavering support, helping Israel to become a powerhouse second to none in the Middle East. It appears, though, that this unequivocal American support and friendship enabled Israel to become more entrenched in the West Bank by building and expanding the settlements and expropriating Palestinian land, thereby making the prospect of achieving peace ever more remote.
 US-Israel relations are presently at a historic low because Obama was willing to show a little tough love by exerting limited pressure on Israel to suspend settlement activity. US must no longer give Israel a blank cheque, hoping that it will use it wisely. Israel has failed that test and the US is becoming, as a result, complicit in Israel's self-destructive policy. Given that the US has a moral and material stake in Israel's wellbeing and is committed to its preservation, it must be in a position to shape and influence Israel's conduct, particularly in relation to its conflict with the Palestinians.

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
Professor, International Relations
Center for Global Affairs, NYU