Madam, - My thanks to your reporter Nuala Haughey for her vivid reports of events in Israel and Gaza. The report of the admirable march of 100,000 Israelis in Tel Aviv demanding Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza strip and the re-starting of peace talks should have been welcomed, above all, by lovers of Israel who are revolted and embarrassed by the ruthless strategy of Ariel Sharon.
Disappointingly, however, it led Alan Shatter to observe, ironically, that "democracy is a great thing" (Letters, May 21st) - his point being that Israel is a democratic country which allows marchers to protest peacefully against its own policies.
He goes on to write of demonstrations in other parts of the Middle East featuring "frenzied, fanatical mobs calling for more blood-letting and advocating a culture of suicide, death and martyrdom".
Perhaps he will think again after the killing of peaceful demonstrators in Gaza by the Israeli Defence Forces last Wednesday. Or maybe he will interpret the pictures of parents maddened by grief at the death of their little children as "frenzied, fanatical mobs".
I am disappointed with Mr Shatter. I am surprised also at his belief that Palestinian atrocities such as suicide bombing have been under-reported compared with the coverage given to atrocities perpetrated by Israel.
These latter are not just of recent origin and in my opinion have not received due coverage over the years. - Yours, etc.,
JUSTIN MORAHAN,
Scholarstown Park,
Dublin 16.
Madam, - Alan Shatter (May 21st) refers to recent peace protests in Israel, predicting (I suspect correctly) that we will not be reading about anti-suicide-bombing protests in Gaza.
I suspect also that this might have something to do with the fact that marches in Tel-Aviv are not likely to be fired upon by tanks and Apache helicopters. - Yours, etc.,
BARRY O'CONNOR,
Albert Road,
Cork.
Madam, - It's fine to criticise Israel's behaviour, but not to invent facts to bolster your arguments.
Rory O'Grady (May 22nd) accuses Israel of carrying out massacres at Sabra, Shatila and Rafah. The facts are that hate-filled Lebanese Christian militias perpetrated the first two. Rafah was a battle between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters who got the worse end of it - and yes, sadly, some civilians were also killed. But it was no massacre.
I'm surprised Mr O'Grady didn't also invoke Jenin, another invented non-massacre by Israel. - Yours, etc.,
TONY ALLWRIGHT,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.