• I AGREE with Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC that unjustified allegations of anti-Semitism should not preclude critical examination of the policies of the state of Israel (Israel’s conduct is of public interest, Forum, April 27).

His default sympathies are however exposed when he includes the existence of Israel (as well as its actions) as an issue for debate. His “guiding interests” of civil liberties and human rights have never, to my knowledge, extended to address the conduct of the Palestinians.

The indoctrination of their children from kinder-garden onwards to welcome and embrace martyrdom for the destruction of Jews and the Jewish state is gross child abuse.

The payment of salaries to the families of suicide bombers and of car ramming and stabbing terrorists is an incentive for murderous violence. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas are corrupt and undemocratic, and show little interest in the welfare and civil liberties of their subjects.

I look forward to the day when Sir Geoffrey will take a more balanced approach to this intractable conflict and apply his considerable legal talents to write under the headline “The Palestinians’ conduct is of public interest”.

DR BARRY HOFFBRAND,
Cholmeley Park, N6