DAVID SOWBY,
Sir, - The media are reporting that a "massacre" occurred in Jenin. There was no massacre. The Israeli defence forces went into Jenin as part of their defence against terror. There was intense fighting, during which armed Palestinians mined and blew up houses. The soldiers had great difficulty in progressing; they used bulldozers and suffered heavy losses - 23 of them were killed. No order was given for the Israeli army to kill unarmed people, but it is a regrettable fact that civilians were also harmed.
It is notable that a naïve world is willing to accept without question the Palestinian version of events in Jenin. The international community could better assist both sides by promoting reconciliation rather than vilification. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID SOWBY, Knocksinna Crescent, Dublin 18.
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Sir, - After the second World War it was claimed that what had been going on in the concentration camps was not widely known. Now the whole world knows of the slaughter of the Palestinian people and we do nothing. Surely Ireland, as an independent nation, can shout halt and try to come to their rescue? Wringing of hands and waiting for America to act is of no benefit. After all, it was America which encouraged Israel in the first place and made no effort to prevent the invasion of Palestine.
When can we hope to see action taken in support of UN resolutions on this conflict - as is happening in Iraq? - Yours, etc.,
Mrs MARY STEWART, Ardeskin, Donegal Town.