• EVERY day that unfolds sees further horrific images on our televisions of attacks and counter-attacks in Israel and Gaza.

It is difficult to find a response that adequately conveys the revulsion that we all feel from the suffering that men, women and children are enduring.

In Camden we live in a borough of many faiths and communities. All are profoundly affected by these events and struggling to know what to do.

But I am proud of the response that we have seen so far. People of all beliefs continue to reach out and to live side-by-side with each other. This is a credit to us all. How easy it would be to be angry and disrespectful, just because our views diverge.

The council has worked for years to bring our communities together. The Camden Interfaith Network has held regular meetings. These have continued even in these difficult times.

I am told that Tony Ostrin of Hampstead Synagogue and Imam Fathi Labidi, of Muslim World League London Office (Goodge Street Mosque) held discussions on strengthening connections across communities.

It is vital that everyone can go about their lives without feeling intimidated or threatened because of their stand on these difficult and complex questions.

To that end the role of the police and the council’s own community presence officers, who patrol the streets to help anyone in distress, is vital.

In schools teachers have to cope with pupils feeling deeply distressed by what they have seen. Some may have friends or relatives caught up in the ongoing violence.

We need to thank everyone who is dealing with these issues. Our response needs to be concern, but also kindness to the people among whom we live. These tragic events cannot be allowed to divide us.

MARTIN PLAUT, NW5