• I WAS dismayed to read the letter from my MP, Tulip Siddiq, and local Labour councillors who claim Terence Flanagan had not been vindicated (There is no ‘vindication’, February 2).

It is clear from his reinstatement to the Labour Party that the Compliance Unit did not uphold the accusation of anti-Semitism against Terence, though they gave him some official warning. I strongly feel that such a warning is unwarranted and hope that he would successfully appeal against it. Being an Israeli human rights activist who witnessed the plight of the Palestinians as from her early childhood, I see it as my duty to challenge Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

Israel’s policies and actions inflict continued suffering on the Palestinians through illegal occupation and stealing of their land; untold brutality against civilians, including women and children who are frequently arrested and detained without a charge; ex-judiciary, summary killing; an unlawful blockade of Gaza, and frequent military raids in the West Bank and Gaza which lead to a constant bloodshed.

An increasing number of Jews and Israelis have been challenging Israel’s actions by various forms of active protest and with the support of world-renowned figures, such as, Bishop Desmond Tutu. Nobel peace laureate Mairead Maguire, Professor Noam Chomsky, John Dugard, UN special rapporteur on Human Rights, and many from the world of the arts and culture. Their public statement (2012) called for an embargo on Israel, arguing that “Israel’s attempt to justify [the] illegal use of belligerent and disproportionate military force as ‘self-defence’ does not stand up to legal – or moral – scrutiny, as states cannot invoke self-defence for acts that serve to defend an unlawful situation which they have created in the first place”. (www.middleeast monitor.com/20140217-52-leading-international-figures-call-for-a-military-embargo-on-israel).

Perhaps the warning given to critics of Israel’s policies and actions (however harsh such critic may be) should be, instead, delivered to the Israeli government which violates international and humanitarian laws with impunity.

RUTH TENNE
Member, Jews for Justice for Palestinians NW6