March 02, 2005

Dr Tonge's Palestinian patience

Impressive letter by Lib Dem, Dr Jenny Tonge, condemning the latest suicide bombing in Tel Aviv but belying Conal Urquhart's (et al) report that it was this that broke the "calm":
I was disappointed and dismayed that a suicide bomber should jeopardise the peace process between Israel and Palestine (Tel Aviv bomber's family shunned, March 1) and would hope that terrorist groups all over the Middle East will be patient enough to allow Mahmoud Abbas the freedom to negotiate with Ariel Sharon. They certainly need the patience. During the ceasefire, the Israelis have carried out two assassinations of al-Aqsa Brigade members; a 15-year-old boy was killed and a 14-year-old severely injured by soldiers for throwing stones. A 16-year-old boy was shot dead for allegedly carrying a knife and a resident of Rafah was killed walking near his home by gunfire from an Israeli settlement.
The expansion of settlements continues in the West Bank, as does the settler road building and construction of the security wall. Water and land resources disappear each day, and shepherds cannot graze their sheep on their own land south of Hebron. The Palestinians need the patience of Job, and they are to be congratulated for their restraint. Israel's behaviour is totally unacceptable and yet gets no coverage from your newspaper.
Dr Jenny Tonge MP
Lib Dem, Richmond Park
She's actually quitting at the next election, believed to be due on 5/5/2005. Bad news for seekers after truth on Palestine.

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