Madam, - It is not appropriate as Eamon Delaney suggests (December 12th) for Ireland to adopt an evenly balanced approach between the internationally recognised state of Israel and the occupied territory of Palestine. In the international arena we must surely promote right and condemn wrong.
In this area there are grave imbalances. If Ariel Sharon requires restraint towards his opponents - if he ever does - a direct command to his army chief of staff will achieve the desired result. Contrast this with the tedious negotiations involving numerous independent factions required by the embryonic state of Palestine.
One conclusion suggests that restraint need never occur to Sharon. Why should it? As it stands he can annex a significant part of Palestine and justify this as being essential as a wall of defence for Israel. To add to this Sharon is assured that each year the US will give Israel $5,000 million, but not one cent for the Palestinians.
Mr Delaney will surely recognise that the UK was initially instrumental in the formation of an integrated Israeli state. Ireland has not yet achieved this status for all of its territory nor indeed has Palestine. If Ireland has a justifiable international stance it must be to seek to encourage states such as Israel to conduct themselves according to international standards and possibly with our help to work to construct a template for peace, fairness and harmony. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL HASSETT, Ballaly Drive, Dublin 16.