Sent: Friday, October 20, 2000 9:44 PM

Subject:: Violence in the occupied territories.

The Editor,
The Independent,
London

20 October, 2000

Dear Editor:

It is heartening to see that there are still journalists who understand the Palestine-Israel conflict and the English language, and independent journals that have the courage to publish such free-thinking articles.

Robert Fisk’s article {" Clinton: A marriage counsellor reading from a cereal packet" Oct. 18}, highlights the hypocricy and double standards practiced by Clinton and the U.S. Government. It behoves Kofi Annan, and the leaders of the so-called free world, to remember the real cause of these riots. The dispossessed Palestinian people are resisting an illegal oppressive and brutal occupation. It is a recognised legitimate right for all peoples, including the Palestinians, to resist foreign occupation. The West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem have been under illegal Israeli occupation for 33 years, in defiance of international law and Security Council resolutions. It is incumbent on the U.S. and its allies, as well as Mr. Annan, to be calling for immediate and complete Israeli withdrawal from these illegally occupied territories. No negotiation or bargaining is called for. This is the practice that was adopted against Iraq’s illegal occupation of Kuwait.

How long must Israel be allowed to remain above international law?

Yours Sincerely

Ismail Zayid, M.D.