Combating Terror

Your news item 'Israel conformity call' (see [2002] Gazette, 11 April, 5) should be set in context.

Geoffrey Bindman has no mandate from the Anglo-Jewish community to criticise Israel's exercise of its right to self- defence.

There is deep concern at the violence unleashed on Israel's civilian population.

Anglo-Jewish lawyers of my acquaintance deeply regret - as does the government of Israel itself - the steps that have had to be taken in the West Bank.

However, we fully support the resolve shown by the government and the Israel Defence Force in dealing with an enemy that is wicked beyond belief.

The policies of the Israeli government in entering into the Oslo accords and making reasonable proposals to resolve the outstanding issues have the broad support of the Anglo- Jewish community.

Roger Cohen, solicitor, London