MARY DONOHOE,
Madam, - You pose the question (Editorial, November 29th) of why attacks on Israel recur so systematically and whether they can be prevented only by greater security and military counter-attacks. You then make the point that terrorism is likely to continue unless there is political engagement, dialogue and eventual agreement with those who can influence the support base on which such organisations draw. But you don't tell us who these influential people or bodies are. The Palestinian Authority apparently has no influence over Hamas, and even less over Al-Qaeda, so a discussion with the PA is likely to be fruitless on this topic.
No, make no mistake about it, these attacks on Israel are part of an overall plan that has but one ultimate objective - the destruction of the state of Israel. Concern about the so-called "occupation" of the West Bank is merely a smokescreen for the real goal, which is the removal of the Jewish state from "Arabia". - Yours, etc.,
D. SOWBY, Knocksinna Crescent, Dublin 18.
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Madam, - While I agree with all the sentiments expressed in your Editorial of November 29th, there is one gaping omission in your summation, and that is: what fuels these horrific attacks?
The answer: horrific poverty; and until we are prepared to act in a multi-disciplinary way to address this, more attacks of the same nature will continue to claim the lives of innocent victims, in the same horrific manner. - Yours, etc.,
MARY DONOHOE, Merlyn Road, Dublin 4.