The fall of the Berlin Wall could teach the world to unite

Our readers have their say on barriers in the world, the corruption charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the solution to traffic snarls

Graffiti art covers the hidden leftover segment of a back-wall of the Berlin wall, in Berlin's Pankow district on September 28, 2019. - Various associations in Berlin are keen to preserve lesser-known traces of the Berlin wall (1961-89), including segments of the back-wall, watch-towers and markers, in a bid to keep the memories of a divided Germany alive for future generations. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP)
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With reference to Jamie Lafferty's article After fall of the Berlin Wall, a thriving arts scene has emerged (November 11), it is fantastic that a wall which divided people is now a showground for artists. It has been 30 years that the Berlin Wall came down – an occasion to pay tribute to the former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev who tore down the wall. He was a visionary who saw into the future and let the East and West Germans unite.

Today the world is seeing too many blockades. The US is building trade barriers with China. Myanmar cannot manage the Rohingyas. Britain wants to exit the European Union. India and Pakistan cannot sit on a table for discussions.

Global leaders need to heed the advice of the Indian Nobel Prize winner poet Rabindranath Tagore who wrote, “Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls, into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake!”

The world desperately needs visionary leaders who can make boundaries disappear again, foster economic growth and save this beautiful planet from pollution and plastic.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Benjamin Netanyahu should do the right thing and step down

With reference to the article Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defiant after corruption indictment (November 21). This was an interesting read. The ongoing threat to the position of Mr Netanyahu with allegations of corruption, fraud and breach of trust is the latest dramatic development from Israeli politics.

In principle, Mr Netanyahu should either step down or prove his innocence to retain office.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

A countdown at traffic lights like in Ajman could ease motorist woes

With reference to Daniel Sanderson's article, Long wait at traffic lights increases accident risk, UAE study finds (November 23): the best traffic signal system in the UAE is in Ajman and has been operational since 2013.

The Ajman Police installed a traffic countdown system that displays the number of seconds left for the light to turn green. It should be implemented all over the UAE.

Saeed Ali, Dubai