Letter: Enforcement of international law against Israel

Sir: Libya refuses to comply with a UN Security Council resolution. Sanctions are imposed, and indeed are still in force. Israel refuses to comply with a Security Council resolution. A UN envoy is sent to ask them if perhaps they could see their way to make some small concession.

It is no longer acceptable to have one law for the Arab states and another for Israel. The expulsion of the four hundred Palestinians is a gross violation of international law. It is beyond belief that the Israeli Supreme Court should rule it to be legal. If that were so, we might as well load up a ship with suspected supporters of the IRA and dump them on the beach at Tel Aviv.

We should bring to a close the period in which Israel can ignore Security Council resolutions with impunity. Initially, Israel should be given two days to supply the four hundred with food, water and full medical facilities. If they refuse, supplies should be dropped by air. At the same time, the first step should be taken to impose sanctions on Israel. I suggest that all members of the UN should be instructed to suspend landing rights for Israeli aircraft.

It is not anti-Semitic to suggest that the Israeli government should be required to adhere to the normal standards of civilised behaviour. It is the Israeli government itself which, by its cruel treatment of these and other Palestinians, fans the flames of anti-Semitism in Europe.

Yours faithfully,

FRANK BLACKABY

London, SW8

30 December