Madam, - The murder by Hamas of two Israeli children in Sderot was by any standards a horrible and futile crime.
Nevertheless, the massacre that Israel is now perpetrating in Jabaliya refugee camp cannot be justified either strategically or morally: Israel's security cannot be enhanced by deepening the hatred that it arouses in the Arab world, and vengeance should have no place in the lexicon of a state that purports to be both democratic and "civilised".
When will Europe stop wringing its hands impotently and take action - such as trade sanctions - to curb the criminal instincts of Ariel Sharon and his militaristic regime?
Failing this, Europe is guilty of complicity in the ethnocide of the Palestinians without thereby contributing to the security of Israel. - Yours, etc.,
RAYMOND DEANE, Chair, Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Dublin 1.