Letter: Double standards over Israel

CONGRATULATIONS to Robert Fisk for exposing the double standards of the West in commenting on Israeli and Palestinian terrorism ('Israelis can be terrorists too', 27 February).

The difference has been that most of the Israeli attacks have been carried out under the control of a sovereign government while the Palestinians have no way of exercising control over their extremists.

The terrorist acts of Hebron settlers such as Baruch Goldstein have been encouraged by the passive attitude of the Israeli government.

In September 1988, Rabbi Moshe Levinger opened fire with his automatic rifle in Hebron, killing a shopkeeper. He received the derisory sentence of five months, part of which was spent in community service. There was hardly a word of comment in the Western media.

Charles Hughes

Felixstowe, Suffolk