Madam, - Just because Hamas was democratically elected, which it was, does not make its present undemocratic behaviour acceptable.
As Palestinians are hurled from rooftops or dispatched in other brutal ways, are they comforted by the notion that such behaviour is implemented by democratically elected Hamas party members?
On the one hand, Fatah members are loathed by Hamas for their secular and more moderate stance towards a two-state solution in the Middle East. On the other hand, Hamas, whose vision is religiously driven, hold infidels (that's us) and their own moderates in equal distaste.
The number one enemy, of course, remains Israel, for not only is the very presence of this tiny state an affront to Islam, but it also conveniently provides an external scapegoat for Gaza's descent into decay.
Contrary to popular expectations, isn't it interesting that the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza has led to diminished social conditions and vicious in-fighting? - Yours, etc,
SUSAN PHILIPS, Ballinacoola, Glenealy, Co Wicklow.